Ravens signal first-round select Malaki Starks to rookie deal

Starks, the No. 27 total select in April’s draft, will obtain $16.58M on his first NFL contract together with a $8.7M signing bonus, in line with KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson. The Ravens even have a fifth-year possibility they are able to workout in 2028 that may stay Starks below contract via 2029.

The former Georgia Bulldog used to be already anticipated to have an impactful rookie yr as a flexible 3rd protection in defensive coordinator Zach Orr‘s scheme. An Achilles harm to 2024 starter
Ar’Darius Washington will most probably press Starks right into a full-time function, one thing head trainer John Harbaugh discussed after Wednesday’s apply.

“It’s a lot on his plate right now,” Harbaugh mentioned. “He’s going to have to step up, but that’s why we drafted him in the first round.” 

The longtime head trainer added that he had but to look Starks make a mistake at the box.

Having Starks on a cost-controlled rookie contract for the following 4 years will have to permit the Ravens to make Hamilton the highest-paid protection within the NFL someday within the subsequent yr. The crew picked up the 2022 first-rounder’s fifth-year possibility, making sure he’ll keep in Baltimore for a minimum of two extra seasons, however common supervisor Eric DeCosta‘s historical past of rewarding his best possible gamers means that Hamilton will probably be a Raven for a very long time. 

That will permit him to mentor Starks as the 2 expand chemistry with the purpose of changing into the most productive protection duo within the NFL.