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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Can we trust the Cleveland Browns?

By John Buhler

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker (24) returns the interception during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Malik Hooker

Safety, Ohio State Buckeyes

If anybody picked in the top-10 of the NFL Draft is poised to be a major impact player right away, Ohio State Buckeyes safety Malik Hooker to the Los Angeles Chargers could be that draft selection. He is raw, but has ball skills the college football world hasn’t seen since Ed Reed played at The U for the Miami Hurricanes.

Hooker could be a perfect fit in Gus Bradley’s Cover 3 scheme with the Chargers. Hooker will have a ton of ground to cover in the back-end in the Chargers secondary, but he has an opportunity to be an all-timer in this scheme and situation.

Keep in mind that Los Angeles should have great players all over its defense in Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Denzel Perryman and Jason Verrett. If Anthony Lynn’s offense can stay healthy for Philips Rivers, the Chargers could seriously push for a playoff berth in the AFC West in their first year in Los Angeles.

Hooker could bust due to lack of experience playing big time college football. He did leave Columbus with two years of eligibility remaining like teammate Marshon Lattimore. However, Hooker’s ability to come up with the football as a safety could make him a potential perennial Pro Bowler. He could be the best safety to play for the Chargers since Rodney Harrison.

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