Derwin James already electrifying Chargers' defense in minicamp

Lindsay H. Jones | USA TODAY

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COSTA MESA, Calif. – There has been no easing into his rookie year for Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick Derwin James.

If anything, the Chargers have put the former Florida State safety whom they drafted with the No. 17 pick on an accelerated program. No player has taken more defensive snaps during the last few weeks of voluntary workouts or during this week’s minicamp, as James has worked at safety with both the first- and second-team units.

He’s played most of his snaps at strong safety, but has also lined up as a deep free safety and near the line of scrimmage, all part of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s plan to just see how many ways he can use his newest versatile defensive back.

It’s mentally and physically exhausting, and James loves it.

“They’re just trying to see what I can do, and it’s all starting to make sense to me,” James told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “They picked me in the first round, so the expectations were high coming in. I know what kind of player I am. I said it all the way coming out of college that I felt like I was the best player in the draft, and I just want to really showcase what I can do, and really trust the coaching and trust my teammates around me.”

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James is already showing he could be the missing piece for a Chargers defense that ranked third in passing yards allowed but needed help at safety. In Wednesday’s minicamp, he ended practice with an end zone interception of quarterback Philip Rivers.

Rivers knew James would be on alert to cover the seam route, but he tried to zip a pass to the back of the zone anyway. James read the play and executed his assignment perfectly, leaping into the air to grab Rivers’ pass before ending up on the bottom of a dog pile of defensive teammates. Such plays in practice have become routine for James this spring, teammates said.

“He's beast. He can run, he can play the coverage, and he can play man,” receiver Keenan Allen told USA TODAY Sports. “We've seen him make a lot of plays. He picked us off today. That's what he does. Playmaker.”

And now James could be the perfect complement to a secondary that includes cornerback Casey Hayward, who has 11 interceptions in the past two seasons and signed a contract extension earlier this year, and Jason Verrett, a former first-round pick who has played just five games in the past two seasons because of an ACL injury that required multiple surgeries.

The Chargers have been increasing Verrett’s workload this offseason, at times having to hold him back for his own good, head coach Anthony Lynn said. Wednesday marked Verrett’s first day he’s practiced fully in team drills since Week 1 of last season.

“Being able to get back to how I used to play, and adding on to what they did last year, we could be special,” Verrett said.

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Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones