Bears land the future replacement for All-Pro safety Kevin Byard in way-too-early 2025 mock draft

The Bears already have two talented safeties in former All-Pro Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker but could look to secure the position for years to come with Malaki Starks.

Starks has been a consistent starter for the Bulldogs and was a part of the formidable National Championship winning defense. Here's what May had to say about the pick.

"Malaki Starks has led the Georgia defense in snaps for both of the last two seasons. A former five star elite talent, Starks could be the best safety prospect to come out in nearly a decade. He's racked up over 120 tackles, a dozen passes defended, and a handful of interceptions already. The Bears have Kevin Byard at free safety (for now), but Starks would likely plug in as a day one difference maker if they selected him." - A to Z Sports' Travis May

Starks battled through a shoulder injury during the 2023 season and will be returning to the Bulldogs defense that recently lost Javon Bullard and Tykee Smith last weekend during the 2024 NFL Draft. With another full healthy season under his belt, Starks will be among the best defensive prospects in next year's class.

Starks would be a perfect fit for Matt Eberflus' defensive scheme after playing under Glenn Schumann's scheme at Georgia. With Byard only on a two-year deal with the Bears, Starks could eventually replace him as the starter alongside Brisker.

As for the other picks in May's three-round mock draft, the Bears stayed in the SEC with their pair of second round picks snagging Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner and Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson. In the third round, he had the Bears drafting Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins.

Therefore, May is projecting a defensive-heavy draft for the Bears next season, which would make sense considering how much general manager Ryan Poles has invested in the offense during the offseason this year.