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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Final Predictions For First Round

By Dan Parzych

Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-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. Los Angeles Chargers: Ohio State S Malik Hooker

The argument can be made that if the Los Angeles Chargers (formally San Diego) were healthier on both sides of the football over the last two seasons, they would have been stronger contenders in the AFC. Seeing the amount of games lost by single digits over the last two years has been one of the most frustrating things in the world for the Chargers, but hopefully a fresh start in a new city will help change that in 2017.

Los Angeles is coming off a 2016 season in which they only managed to win five games, and they certainly have their work cut out for them heading into next year by playing in arguably one of the toughest divisions football has to offer in the AFC South. If the Chargers truly want to be in consideration for the AFC West title, it’s going to come down to the performance of the defense.

With safety being one of the positions the team is expected to focus on in this year’s draft, one name to consider is Malik Hooker out of Ohio State. Keep in mind Los Angeles gambled on one of Hooker’s former teammates around this time last year in Joey Bosa, and this move could easily end up being just as successful to help boost the defense.

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