SAN DIEGO -- There's been a lot of talk in the lead-up to this year's draft about franchise quarterback Philip Rivers serving as a mentor if the Los Angeles Chargers draft a young, developmental signal-caller in this year's draft.

But another player on the roster who could be in a similar situation is safety Dwight Lowery. Most mock drafts have the Chargers selecting a safety at No. 7, which could cut into the 31-year-old veteran's playing time.

However, the well-traveled Lowery, who's played on five teams in 10 NFL seasons, said he's willing to serve as mentor for a rookie in order for the defense to improve.

With most analysts predicting that the Chargers will draft a safety in the first round, Dwight Lowery said he would be eager to serve as a mentor. Tom Walko/Icon Sportswire

Lowery has two years left on his deal, including a non-guaranteed base salary of $2 million for the 2017 season.

"I have no problem with being a mentor," Lowery said. "I have no problem with competition. The reality is I don't have that much left on my contract, let alone my career. So the Chargers have to do what's best for the organization, especially at the safety position.

"If they're going to stick with this scheme, then it's imperative that you have a safety that understands football, can see the field, understands angles and pretty much how to play the game. So if they feel that there's a guy that fits that and will come in and do a good job, is committed to the game and all of those types of things, by all means that's the move you should make."

Lowery is slated to start at free safety for the Chargers this season, with Jahleel Addae at strong safety. Lower is familiar with new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's scheme from his time spent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013.

Lowery led all secondary players for the Chargers with 961 snaps played on defense last season, not missing a game and playing with a broken hand during the backstretch of the 2016 season.

"There was a time when I was out there and I couldn't pick stuff up -- it was ridiculous," Lowery said. "People don't understand that when you don't have a limb you can use it's almost like you have to learn how to be left-handed, and I'm playing at the highest level you can play."

The San Jose State product also knows what it's like to need a mentor. He started as a wide-eyed rookie for the New York Jets during the 2008 season and leaned on defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to help get him through rough patches his first year as a starter in the league.

"I'm not so egotistical that I can say, 'Well, no I'm the free safety, I'm 10 years in and I deserve this, that or the other,'" Lowery said. "There are things I think I deserve -- and I just think it is respect -- and that's really all it is. I don't want things handed to me.

"I would love to teach a guy. I have so much experience, and if I can accelerate his learning so throughout the course of the year we can get him in the game -- maybe he starts in sub package and then maybe he gets into the base package. You don't bring in a top-rated player to sit on the bench, so he's going to get on the field somehow, and I feel like I'm a good-enough player to find my way on the field as well."

One area in which Lowery excels is covering tight ends in man coverage. So if the Chargers selected a safety in the first round and he develops into a starter, Lowery eventually could serve as a nickel defender in passing situations manned up against the opposing team's best receiving tight end.

"If you want to go to the playoffs, go deep in the playoffs and win Super Bowls you've got to have more depth," Lowery said. "I'm not about big contracts and what's best for me -- what's best for the Chargers? I'm not big on 'What's your legacy?'. To me, your legacy is what you do for people when you're there. And if they can take something from you and add it to their game or their approach to their game, to me that's enough."