Why Chargers should experiment with versatile Joey Bosa

1:28 PM ET

SAN DIEGO — For Joey Bosa, offseason workouts are more about learning the San Diego Chargers’ defensive scheme than making “wow” plays during organized team activities.

Bosa, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, is making a transition to a new position as a 3-4 defensive end, and also has been used as an edge and interior rusher in passing situations during the Chargers’ OTAs.

The Chargers are not in pads, so Bosa won’t get a real feel for how opposing offenses will handle him until preseason games begin in August. But according to ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen, now is the time for defensive coordinator John Pagano to find out what his versatile rookie can do in his scheme.

“I do think you have to experiment with him standing up, too,” Bowen said of Bosa. “There’s nothing wrong with that at this time of the year. It’s the best time to do stuff like that.

“See if he can play 3-4 outside linebacker. You might be surprised. I’m not saying he’s going to be Von Miller, or a guy with that type of high-level athleticism that can drop or run with a running back down the field or cover a tight end down the field. But it’s a perfect time to experiment with that.”

Bowen said he never bought into the fact that Bosa cannot play defensive end in a 3-4 defensive front because of his lack of size for the position.

“If you’re great with your hands, have a great first step, understand how to play with leverage and can get guys off of your body, that’s more important than size,” Bowen said. “What are …

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