Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup Vol. 8

The time has come. The NFL Draft is just a day away. As with the rest of the teams, there is plenty of speculation surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers.

Compared to some teams, the Chargers have kept things very quiet and there haven’t been many rumors surrounding who they are targeting in the first round. There is also minor speculation about trading their pick and moving into the later part of the first round.

Regardless of what the Chargers are thinking, the entire fan base is hoping that the Chargers strike gold again this year.

This will be the final round up as the draft rapidly approaches, let’s see what the final say is for the experts around the web.

Dan Kadar (SBNation.com): DL Jonathan Allen - Alabama

With new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley the Chargers could be searching for a versatile piece along the defensive line. With his power and play style Allen is the type of player who can move around and find success anywhere he lines up.

Emily Caplan (SI.com): S Malik Hooker - Ohio State

With tremendous instincts and ball skills—seven interceptions, including three for touchdowns in 2016—Hooker gets Ed Reed comparisons. Safety is Los Angeles’s biggest area of need, and Hooker could not be a better match. As Gus Bradley tries to recreate his signature Cover-3 defense that made him famous in Seattle, Hooker will fill the Earl Thomas role seamlessly

The thought of having an Earl Thomas on the field sounds great. The question will be if Hooker can become that type of player. His injury history is concerning and it’ll be interesting to see if the Chargers take a risk on yet another player with issues staying healthy.

Eric Williams (ESPN.com): S Malik Hooker - Ohio State

The NFL Nation reporters all took part in the NFL Nation mock draft. Williams was in control of the Chargers pick and took the man who most think is going to end up in Los Angeles.

Hooker would be a nice fit next to Jahleel Addae and he should be able to sure up a secondary that had major issues last season.

Lance Zierlein (NFL.com): S Jamal Adams - LSU

If Adams and Hooker are both on the board here, it could be an interesting call. This could also be the spot Cleveland targets for a trade-up for Mitchell Trubisky.

If the Chargers do have the luxury of choosing between both Hooker and Adams, they are going to have an extremely tough decision on their hands.

Chris Simms (BleacherReport.com): S Jamal Adams - LSU

The Los Angeles Chargers might consider taking a quarterback at No. 7. Philip Rivers is 35 years old and has 13 seasons under his belt. With LSU's Jamal Adams on the board, though, I think they'll wait until the second round.

L.A.'s new defensive coordinator is Gus Bradley. He comes from Jacksonville, and before that, the Seattle Seahawks. Adams can be his new version of Kam Chancellor. He's a hard-hitting, quality-in-coverage safety who can set the tone in the Chargers secondary.

The Chargers defense would suddenly look pretty nasty with Joey Bosa on the front end and Adams on the back end.

Danny Kelly (TheRinger.com): DL Solomon Thomas - Stanford

By grabbing Thomas, Los Angeles gives new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley a key component in the switch to the 4–3 scheme: a movable pass-rushing chess piece in the mold of Seattle’s Michael Bennett. Thomas can align wide in base looks and stop the run, then bump inside to the 3-technique spot in obvious passing situations. The versatile pass rusher notched 10 sacks, 12 hits, and 22 hurries on 394 pass-rush snaps last year for the Cardinal, and on a line with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, he should get plenty of one-on-one rushing opportunities.

Although safety makes plenty of sense at number seven, adding a top tier defensive lineman would be a phenomenal move. The Chargers can create a devastating trio in Thomas, reigning Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa, and talented pass-rusher Melvin Ingram.

Louis Riddick (ESPN.com): DL Jonathan Allen - Alabama

With Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram solidified on the edge, Allen would bump inside in Gus Bradley's new 4-3 defense. That's a hellacious front. Allen's shoulder issues have raised concerns about his longevity, but his character and versatility are pristine.

Riddick had a very interesting mock, to say the least. His mocked was based on who he would choose if he was the GM of the teams.

Most fans wouldn’t be too upset with Allen, even with the concerns that arose following the combine. He would be a solid fit across from Bosa and free up even more room for Ingram to rush the passer from the edge.