Daily Norseman
The Vikings didn’t have the best luck the last time they drafted a Georgia safety in the first round, but the second time’s the charm, right?
The Vikings received some spectacular news when it was announced that longtime safety Harrison Smith would return on a one-year deal. While the news helps keep most of the band together under Brian Flores for another season, the Vikings did lose standout free safety Cam Bynum who inked a four-year, $60 million deal with the Colts last week.
With that in mind, Minnesota could stand to look for his replacement early on in this year’s draft. As things stand, Flores likely doesn’t want to have to rely on Theo Jackson to hold down the back end in single-high looks if he does’t have to.
So how about landing the top safety in the draft this year? Doesn’t that sound wonderful? It sure does, but...you might get some PTSD when you hear that he’s coming out of the University of Georgia.
*gasp
Yes, I’m sure pictures of Lewis Cine standing on the sideline in street clothes just flashed in front of your eyes, but hear me out: It could work this time.
In a new mock draft by Mike Renner of CBS Sports, he has the Vikings landing the 6’1, 197-pound defender with the 24th-overall pick. He notes that he just “can’t fathom” Minnesota passing on such a versatile player, but if there’s one thing that Vikings are good at, it’s the ability to never forget when things don’t work.
But alas, that doesn’t change the reality that Starks may be the best fit for the Vikings in the first round thanks in part to the team’s excellent signings made thus far. Both interior offensive and defensive lines have been upgraded. Linebacker depth is solid enough after signing Eric Wilson. As it stands, the secondary is where the most help is needed and Starks allows the group to be more flexible around him.
The 2023 All-American started three seasons for the Bulldogs, finishing his career with six interceptions, 17 pass breakups, and 197 total tackles. He’s got natural instincts as a deep safety with fast processing and knows how to position himself well on deep balls to maximize his chances for takeaways at the catch point.
In the run game, he’s not a real down-hill hitter but he wraps up well and doesn’t often let ball-carriers go when he gets hands on. And while he may be best at deep safety, his high football IQ let’s him be deployed all over the field which is something that should be music to Flores’ ears.
But hey, this is just my opinion. You all should go throw on Starks’ film and see for yourself. If you’ve already watched his tape, go ahead and hop in the comments to tell me what you do or don’t like about this pick. Yay or nay? Who else do you want to see the Vikings pick in the first round? Let...
