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NFL Mock Draft 2017: Defense rules early

By Brad Weiss

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-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

S, Ohio State

The Los Angeles Chargers will be the talk of La La Land this season, as they made the move from San Diego this offseason. While it will be weird to see them play outside of San Diego for their home games, they head to Los Angeles with a pretty talented roster. The Chargers lost a ton of games that were very close last season, and with a couple of solid additions this offseason, they could be competitive in a very tough AFC West this season.

The Chargers re-signed Jahleel Addae this offseason, but that in no way means they are done getting better at the safety position. While Malik Hooker heads to the NFL on the mend due to two surgeries this offseason, he is one of the best players in this draft, and some feel he is actually the best safety. He has a 4-to-6 month recover time for the surgeries for a hernia and torn labrum, so he will be worked back slowly this offseason.

Last year, the Chargers drafted Joey Bosa with their first round pick, and he went on to be the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year. While Hooker may not have that kind of impact, he does improve a very weak Los Angeles secondary, which will need to be better against the likes of Derek Carr and Alex Smith this season. The Chargers have enough firepower on offense to score points, but if they cannot get stops, it will be another year at the bottom of the division.

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