Are the Chargers Targeting Malik Hooker in the Draft?

At the league meetings this week, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn spoke openly about all manner of topics. One of those topics was the safety position in this year’s NFL Draft. What he had to say was perhaps most notable for a name he left unsaid:

“There are some good safeties coming out. I like Jamal Adams. I like (Jabrill) Peppers. He could be a nice safety in the National Football League. Obi (Melifonwu), the young man from Connecticut, has a nice presence down in the box as a strong safety. (There are) some talented safeties…(Peppers) plays so many positions, I believe if you put him at one position he can be a superstar. It is just that simple. He has been a superstar his whole life. I don’t think it is going to stop because of the National Football League.”

Now, anyone who has been paying attention in the lead-up to this year’s draft is familiar with Adams, Peppers, and Melifonwu, though you might be surprised to see Peppers name included with those other players given some of the things that have been written or said about him by the likes of our own Kyle Posey or The Ringer’s Mike Lombardi. But unless this is your first offseason following the Chargers, you know that Telesco and co. are usually very tight-lipped about players they actually like. For instance, last year there was almost no indication they were interested in drafting Joey Bosa and he had been at the top of their board for over a year.

So, what does it mean that arguably the best safety in this year’s class went unmentioned by Anthony Lynn? It could mean nothing, or it could be a sign that he is the player the Chargers are hoping to select at #7 overall.