Georgia football fans rejoiced when safety Malaki Starks (Baltimore Ravens) and defensive end Mykel Williams (San Francisco 49ers) were drafted to the NFL in the first round this past summer. Everyone expected them to help their teams win games and head to the playoffs in strong positions.
Reality however has been far more disappointing. Williams got injured early and never has never really come back to his normal playing level as he only has 11 tackles so far this season. The 49ers are well-positioned for the playoffs, but Williams will watch from the sidelines as he is on injured reserve. Starks and the Ravens however are in worse shape.
Starks has recorded 38 tackles and two interceptions this season, but both are below his expectations. The Ravens have a losing season currently and are firmly on the bubble when it comes to making the playoffs. The best chance they have is a possible wild card slot. Of course, one player can only do so much, especially on defense, to get the team to win a game.
Were the draft choices wasted?
Williams was drafted 11th overall and was predicted to continue his game-wrecking all over the NFC West. His trajectory got derailed early with an injury in training camp and he never seemed to be able to come back from that.
All American Starks flew out of Athens and was drafted 27th overall with 197 tackles, six interceptions, 17 pass deflections and 5.5 tackles for loss over 43 games for the Bulldogs. The Ravens looked to him to further shut down offenses like his Georgia alum Roquan Smith. While respectable, Starks has not risen to the upper level for his position in the NFL yet.
Perhaps in the offseason Williams will get fully healthy and Starks will refocus his efforts. Perhaps the 49ers and Ravens will use their draft choices to add to the wealth of talent they have. Maybe these rookies will have their breakouts in their second season. Time will tell if their draft status will match up to NFL-level production, but so far they haven't lived up to the expectations set before them.