Highlights from Chargers’ top draft picks speaking at rookie minicamp

The Chargers’ rookies have all arrived in Los Angeles and are currently in the midst of minicamp over the next couple of days.

Following Friday’s session, the team’s top three selections, tackle Rashawn Slater, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and wide receiver Josh Palmer, all spoke to the media.

Rashawn Slater

— Slater hasn’t bought a house yet, adding he is focused on football right now and will find a place later.

— The first thing that he bought after being drafted? Slater got his mom a watch for Mother’s Day.

— It’ll take time to get familiar with all of his teammates, but one player that he has gotten to know is edge defender Chris Rumph II, adding how hilarious he is.

— Slater shouldn’t have a difficult time understanding the offensive system because he said the verbiage and concepts aren’t different from his time at Northwestern.

— Slater said that he is loving the installments of the new offense because it plays to their strengths and gets the defense moving.

— Slater wants to grow as a player and wants to help others grow, too. He gave undrafted rookie offensive lineman Darius Harper pointers after practice.

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

— Safety Derwin James vouched for the Chargers to draft him. Samuel Jr. said James reached out to him to congratulate him and explain the playbook, adding they will get together soon and watch film.

— After practice, Samuel Jr. and Palmer got extra one-on-one reps, and he said that they’re competitive and like to push each other in practices just like in high school (St. Thomas Aquinas).

— Samuel Jr. also gave a shoutout to Rumph, calling his personality “awesome.”

— Samuel Jr. on head coach Brandon Staley: “Great guy, high energy, and pays attention to detail.”

WR Josh Palmer

— What would a successful week at camp look like for Palmer? “Learning as much as he can about the plays and his coaches.”

— Palmer said that the transition is made easier knowing Samuel Jr. “We are both competitors. Iron sharpens iron.”

— What does Palmer think of California so far? “I thought it would be a lot hotter. It is kinda chilly.”