With the NFL Scouting Combine underway in Indianapolis, below are three prospects who make sense for the Chargers based on when they select in the 2017 NFL Draft:
S Malik Hooker, Ohio State
Survey the mock draft landscape and you’ll find Hooker to the Chargers at No. 7 overall more times than not.
“I think Malik Hooker fits them like a glove,” NFL Media’s Mike Mayock said on his pre-combine teleconference Monday.
New Bolts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was one of the key architects of the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” secondary. Perhaps the most important piece of that unit, still, is All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas. In Hooker, Bradley would get a game-changing safety to complement the pass-rushing tandem of Joey Bosa and the recently tagged Melvin Ingram. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah said of Hooker: “He has the best ball skills of any safety I’ve ever evaluated in college.”
WR Mike Williams, Clemson
From DeAndre Hopkins to Sammy Watkins, standout wide receivers from Clemson are becoming a thing in the NFL. Last season, the 6-foot-3 Williams caught 98 balls for 1,361 yards and 11 touchdowns, including 8/94/1 against Alabama in Clemson’s national championship win. The Chargers say Keenan Allen is on schedule after tearing his ACL in Week 1 of last season. Still, his injury history cannot be ignored. The addition of Williams would give Philip Rivers two No. 1-caliber receivers to go with last year’s surprise Tyrell Williams, who is only on the books for $615,000 this upcoming season, per Over the Cap.
OT/G Cam Robinson, Alabama
There isn’t an offensive lineman worth selecting at No. 7 overall, so the Chargers will likely look to fill that need in later rounds. Robinson, a unanimous All-American last season, could be available when Los Angeles is back on the clock in Round 2 (No. 38 overall). The Chargers had the worst-ranked offensive line in the NFL last season, per Pro Football Focus. Robinson’s best position fit in the NFL depends on who you ask. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay (subscription required) look at the Outland trophy winner as a tackle, while Mayock thinks Robinson would be best suited to play inside at the next level. Regardless of position, Robinson is a dominant run blocker, something the Chargers desperately need for Melvin Gordon.
