The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.

Another draft is on the horizon, which means the Washington Commanders have another chance to improve their roster and get closer to competing for a championship.

The Commanders put themselves among the best teams in the league last season, going from 4-13 in 2023 to earning an appearance in the NFC Championship in head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters' first year leading the franchise. Although their season ended against the Philadelphia Eagles, they now have a clear foundation for the future with former No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels in the backfield.

Now, the Commanders are picking on the opposite end of the first round with the No. 29 overall selection. They got the most important piece last year with Daniels, but there are still several positions they need to address before the 2025 season begins.

In anticipation of that selection, Commanders.com will highlight one mock draft from a draft expert each week to delve into how that player, or players, would fit with Washington. This week, we're focusing on a mock draft from FOX Sports' Rob Rang, who thinks Washington could take one of the best safeties in the class.

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The safety position didn't start as a need for the Commanders this offseason, but it certainly became one once Jeremy Chinn agreed to terms with the Las Vegas Raiders on a two-year contract.

Washington has since addressed the position by adding veteran Will Harris, who has experience playing alongside cornerback Marshon Lattimore. At 29 years old, Harris is the physical, competitive player head coach Dan Quinn desires on his roster. He's a willing tackler and can handle himself in coverage -- two qualities the Commanders needed more of on their defense in 2024.

Even with Harris' addition, the Commanders could benefit from finding a young player who could immediately fall into the rotation while developing into a more impactful player. And with safety not being considered a "premium" position similar to offensive line, cornerback and pass rusher, there's a chance such a prospect falls to them at No. 29.

Fox Sports' Rob Rang has the Commanders taking Malaki Starks, widely considered one of this year's best safeties, off the board and bolstering their secondary.

"Washington addressed the issue in free agency by signing Will Harris from the Saints, but should the instinctive Starks still be on the board, the Commanders would be wise to double down at the position," Rang wrote.

There's plenty to love about Starks, a former five-star recruit who played in 43 games during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs. His size (6-foot-1, 197 pounds) and instinctual play style give him enough versatility to fill a bevy of roles. A three-year starter, Starks recorded 197 tackles with six interceptions and 23 pass breakups, earning him All-American honors after each season.

Starks was also considered the best athlete in his recruiting class, and while his combine numbers weren't at the top of the position (a 4.5 40-yard dash with a 33-inch vertical, 7.26 three-cone drill and 4.45 20-yard shuttle), his skill set did show up on the field. He received favorable grades from Pro Football Focus in all major categories, including an 85.6 run defense grade.

Starks' blend of athleticism and instincts consistently put him in position to make plays for the Bulldogs. He snuffed out a reverse pass against Alabama, maneuvering past blockers to bring down wide receiver Germie Bernard for a loss. Later in that same game, he was the first to reach quarterback Jalen Milroe on a quarterback run and tackled him for a three-yard loss.

Although Starks is solid in man and zone coverage, he's at his best in the former, where his history as a high school sprinter allows him to keep up with receivers. He made a habit of running step-for-step with wide receivers downfield, and it often led to Starks either deflecting a pass or grabbing an interception.

And if anyone wants to doubt his speed, Starks recorded the best top speed for every combine drill he participated in, according to NextGenStats.

"Starks has the skill set to affect the game in a variety of ways," **ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. wrote in his board, where Starks is ranked as the 20th best overall prospect.** "He's a force against the run from the back end and doesn't miss many tackles. He closes so fast in coverage, allowing him to break up some passes, and he has spent time lined up over the slot. Plus, he has outstanding hands to finish plays. We saw that in action in Week 1 against Clemson, when Starks made an incredible leaping interception in the fourth quarter."

There are other safeties in this draft class with a more athletic profile than Starks. For example, South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori -- Starks' best competition for being the best safety in the draft -- drew attention at the combine for recording a 4.38 40-yard dash in addition to position-best numbers in the vertical jump (43 inches) and broad jump (11-foot-6). Like Starks, Emmanwori is physical and excels at the line of scrimmage with 88 tackles and four interceptions in 2024.

However, Kiper ranks Starks as the best safety on his board because of his position flexibility, overall talent and intelligence. Most analysts view him as someone who can start and raise a defense's ceiling as a rookie.

"He…has the potential to be one of the best in the league at his position by the end of his rookie contract," wrote The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs.