Chargers Draft Roundtable: Would You Rather Have Jamal Adams or Malik Hooker?

This one is self-explanatory. Would you rather have, Adams or Hooker? The question was sparked with ESPN's Louis Riddick saying Adams could do everything Hooker is asked. But Hooker couldn't do the same. Also, per his Snapchat, Hooker visited the Chargers yesterday. He was at Chargers park. Anyways, here's what the fellas had to say.

Garrett Sisti: Jamal Adams hands down. While I can see the argument for Hooker as the bigger "need," let's be real the Chargers need two starting safeties still. Adams is a difference maker, he's an enforcer in the box who actually could play either Safety spot. Adams looked comfortable in space vs. Tight Ends plus let's not forget he ran a 4.33 at this Pro Day. I think Adams can play both but he's better near the line of scrimmage. While Hooker has the range and ball skills his tackling is atrocious, his technique is a mess. I can't in good conscience pick a Safety who can't tackle, so Adams.

Jake Hefner: As I said many times before, I was pounding the drum for Malik Hooker for a long time. But eight days away from the draft, no question the pick should be Adams. I think Adams leadership qualities that he had at LSU, will be one of his biggest assets as a pro. Moreover, I believe that Adams is a more complete safety. He may not have the INT numbers that Hooker has produced, but his tackling efficiency and experience are where he excels over the Ohio St. alum. His physical style of play, defensive reads, and anticipation are that of a prototypical safety prospect. The addition of Adams would surely give some relief to Safety position following Eric Weddle's departure last season.

Michael Peterson: the whole idea of Hooker has been intriguing, especially when analysts started comparing him to Ed Reed. A player like that on our team would definitely sell some tickets. However, no combine, no pro day, and inconsistencies in his tackling have me shying away from him at #7. Adams has the experience and an all-around complete skill set compared to Hooker. The Chargers need to play this one safe and take

Louis Gorini: Adams is my second ranked prospect in this draft so I would say I would rather the Chargers select Adams over Hooker. LA needs a change in culture and more leaders on its defense and Adams is an alpha player. Enough with the intangibles, let's talk about what Adams does well. He is superb against the run as he flies downhill towards the line of scrimmage with controlled aggression to make the tackle. He has shown that he can match up well against tight ends in man coverage (look at what he did against OJ Howard and Evan Engram). Adams is also very sound in zone coverage and has tremendous awareness and football IQ. He is such a safe player, and safe players are exactly what you want to draft in the first rounds of drafts.

Kyle Posey: Adams is a better football player. Adams is more consistent. But, there's always a but, if I'm rolling the dice early in the draft, I'm gambling on the guy that can make more plays. Calling Hooker's ability to tackle inconsistent is being kind. But his issues in man coverage should be ironed out with more reps. He's going to bait QBs into mistakes. Those plays down the seam last year where Lowery or Addae or Phillips couldn't make those 50/50 plays? Those are now turnovers. I'll take that and live with the bad.

Derrick Browne: Adams. No question about it. He'd step in right away and be a leader that this defense just doesn't have right now. Pairing that along with his physicality, sure-tackling and underrated cover skills just makes the decision that much easier. Besides, adding Hooker would easily give the Chargers the worst-tackling safety tandem in the NFL

Nathan Graber-Lipperman: Adams. Hooker is boom or bust, Adams is boom or solid starter. Nuff said.

Ruben J. Gonzalez: I would rather they go with Adams than Hooker. There's something about that 4.33 that makes me think that he will have more than enough recovery speed. In a cornerstone safety, I'm looking for a sure tackler, not afraid to stick his head into a pile and to actually want to get dirty. Adams seems to like to make those game changing tackles that change the balance of the game. I've got to hope this was the plan on letting Weddle walk last year. And that's drafting an alpha this year.

Jamie Hoyle: if you put a gun to my head and forced me to choose one I'd still choose Malik McDowell...just kidding (kind of). In all seriousness, it's Adams. He would make an immediate impact against the run (something Hooker can't do), can defend tight ends and line up in the slot, and he's a physical presence who actually knows what he's doing out there. He would be an immediate leader and difference maker. And honestly, Hooker is over hyped. He takes too long to diagnose, consistently breaks late, can undercut routes and he CAN'T TACKLE. NFL QBs will manipulate the hell out of him and make plays behind him as long as he relies so heavily upon watching their eyes and mirroring them.