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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Defense rules the day

By Brad Weiss

Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates after a tackle in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates after a tackle in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-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 /
7

Malik Hooker

S, Ohio State

The Chargers made the move to Los Angeles this offseason, and while they did struggle to get wins in 2016, they head to La La Land with a pretty talented roster. Quarterback Philip Rivers is still one of the best quarterbacks in the AFC, and their defense displayed some solid young players last season. With the No. 7 pick, expect the Chargers to bolster their secondary, and safety Malik Hooker should be available when it comes time for them to pick.

Hooker has had to deal with some injuries recently, as he has had two surgeries on both a torn labrum, and a hernia. Still, he is one of the best defensive backs in this draft class, and the Chargers have not had a shutdown safety since Eric Weddle was patrolling their defensive backfield. Hooker plays with the same kind of intensity that Weddle once brought to the Bolts, and Los Angeles needs as much star power as they can get as they try to build their fan base.

Los Angeles plays in one of the toughest divisions in football, and after finishing in the cellar in 2016, they will be looking to rebound in a big way. The team did re-sign Jahleel Addae this offseason, but nobody expects him to be able to do it on his own in the secondary in 2017. Expect Hooker to come off the board here, as the Chargers look to finally make their defensive backfield a strength.

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