Jaguars pick potential Andre Cisco's replacement in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars have given long-term deals to Trevor Lawrence and cornerback Tyson Campbell. However, there's another member of their 2021 NFL Draft class who has yet to get a new contract: Safety Andre Cisco. The former Syracuse Orangeman is entering the last year of his rookie deal, and if he leaves in free agency next year, Garrett Nussmeier of The 33rd Team has come up with the ideal replacement.

Nussmeier did a 2025 NFL mock draft and had Jacksonville taking rising safety Malaki Starks. A three-year starter for the Bulldogs, the Jefferson, Georgia native is quickly solidifying his spot as a top-15 selection next year.

A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Starks was a 2023 Consensus All-America First Team selection and earned a 2022 The Athletic Freshman All-America First Team designation. If he does go in the first round next year, he would become only the third safety in the program's history to pull off such a feat. The other two were Lewis Cine, 32 overall in 2022, and Ben Smith, 22nd overall in 1990.

What makes Starks such an intriguing pick is that he can play different positions in the defensive backfield, whether it's the slot or holding his own in man-to-man coverage. Don't be surprised if there's chatter about him potentially playing cornerback in the NFL if he continues to make an impact in 2024. In the end, though, his best position would probably be safety, where he could potentially help the Jaguars the most.

Three games into the 2024 season, the Georgia standout has logged 11 total tackles and one interception, one that made him the talk of the town.

At 6'0" and 185 pounds, Starks' biggest red flags are likely his lack of size and weight. He's probably bulked up a bit in 2024 but will need to continue to do so if he wants to be effective in the pros.

Why it would make the sense for the Jaguars to draft Malaki Starks?

As of this writing, there's no indication the Jaguars will give Andre Cisco a contract extension. General manager Trent Baalke tends to negotiate during the offseason only, so the New York, Queens native might need to wait until 2025 to get a new deal.

Given that the Jags have already made a heavy investment in Trevor Lawrence, Josh Hines-Allen, and Tyson Campbell, they may have a tight budget next year, which could complicate contract talks with Cisco. If he ultimately walks in free agency, Malaki Starks would be an ideal replacement.

Make no mistake, Cisco is a playmaker. Since joining the starting lineup full-time in 2022, he's registered a team-best seven interceptions and 15 passes defensed. Jacksonville would certainly miss him if he leaves but Starks would soften the blow of his departure.

Right now, Starks continues to raise his stock ahead of the draft, and if he's available, he could give the Jaguars a tough decision. Then again, as important as it would be to find a replacement for Cisco, the front office must also prioritize beefing up the offensive line. Right now, the group is struggling and could use an infusion of talent next year.

The bottom line is that safety doesn't look like a need for the Jacksonville Jaguars but it could be in 2025. If it does become one, Malaki Starks would take care of it.

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