Through less than three weeks of training camp, Malaki Starks has shown everything the Ravens thought they were getting when they drafted him in the first round.
Starks has had no issue taking his ball-hawking skills to the pro level, coming away with his second interception of camp 11-on-11 drills in Monday's practice.
During a red-zone drill, Starks got his hands on a Lamar Jackson pass in the back of the end zone, leaping to intercept the throw intended for wide receiver Keith Kirkwood over the middle.
Monday marked the second time Starks has had an interception in the red zone in training camp. He previously came down with an interception in the end zone during the first week of camp. The Georgia product also had an interception in 1-on-1 drills during Sunday's practice while covering Jahmal Banks down the sideline.
Starks made some prolific interceptions in college, and his nose for the football over the past two days bodes well for the Ravens' defense, which has emphasized coming away with more takeaways this season.
"If you were going to sit there and say what was one of the biggest reasons we drafted him, it's because of [his takeaway ability]," Head Coach John Harbaugh said of Starks.
Here are more notes from Monday's practice:
- DeAndre Hopkins had the longest play of the day with a roughly 40-yard touchdown catch from Jackson during a two-minute period. At 33 years old, Hopkins got a step on speedy Nate Wiggins and showcased he still has more than enough quickness to make splash plays downfield.
- Mark Andrews was yet again a go-to option for Jackson. The two-time MVP connected with Andrews for a few touchdowns in the red zone and several chunk plays in traffic, one of which was a jump pass to him between Starks and Marlon Humphrey over the middle.
- Humphrey had a great pass breakup on a throw to Zay Flowers in the back corner of the end zone, knocking the ball loose from Flowers' hands as the wide receiver tried to maintain control for a tough catch. Humphrey then did Alexander's signature sword celebration, which has become a favorite on the team.
- Trenton Simpson put his athleticism to good use on a chase-down tackle near the line of scrimmage on Justice Hill, who caught a dump-off pass in the flat. Soon after, Simpson beat Joseph Noteboom around the edge on a blitz, ducking around Noteboom for what could've been a quarterback hit in a game.
- Cooper Rush delivered a perfectly placed, off-platform throw to tight end Scotty Washington near the sideline.
- Devontez Walker had a long touchdown catch on 1-on-1s, beating undrafted rookie Reuben Lowery down the field. Walker also had a contested catch with Chidobe Awuzie and Sanoussi Kane tight in coverage.
- Back with the Ravens again, Brent Urban swatted down a Jackson pass at the line of scrimmage and did his signature celebration.
- Rookie defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles beat Nick Samac on a rush for a possible quarterback pressure.
- Practice ended with undrafted rookie safety Keondre Jackson intercepting Rush on a deep shot down the sideline.
- Keaton Mitchell, Kyle Hamilton, and Alexander did not participate as they continue to deal with minor injuries.
