Omarion Hampton Thinks Chargers Can Have Dominant Backfield
Los Angeles Chargers rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton said on The Jim Rome Show that he believes he and Najee Harris can create "a dominant backfield" in 2025. "We know they're going to run the ball, so I'm loving it," Hampton said. The 22nd overall pick was a workhorse back in college at North Carolina and was incredibly productive for the Tar Heels with 2,033 scrimmage yards in 2024, which was the third-most in the nation. Although he won't be a workhorse immediately for the Bolts while sharing touches with Harris, Hampton should have plenty of fantasy upside immediately in a run-first L.A. offense. He averaged over 175 total yards per game in 12 contests in 2024 and was also the fourth FBS player with 1,500-plus rushing yards and 15-plus rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons since 2016.
Chargers Plan For 1-2 Punch At RB With Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris
While nothing is set in stone right now, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that the team plans to deploy a booming 1-2 punch with rookie running back Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris in 2025. True to the Harbaugh mentality, the Bolts plan to line up and run the ball with Hampton and Harris, who are both big and powerful backs. Harbaugh raved about Hampton's ability to break tackles -- According to Pro Football Focus, 2,505 of his career rushing yards at North Carolina came after contact. At No. 22 overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft last Thursday, Hampton was a "unanimous" decision for the Chargers. Hampton averaged 5.9 yards per carry in each of his last two seasons with the Tar Heels and was a true workhorse. While his fantasy upside will be limited while sharing the backfield with Harris in 2025, Hampton's long-term fantasy upside in Harbaugh's system has to excite those in dynasty formats.
The Los Angeles Chargers have selected former North Carolina Tar Heel running back Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hampton was the consensus second-ranked RB in this class, and he'll enter a favorable situation in Jim Harbaugh's offense. The bruising back has been electric during his time at North Carolina, rushing for 15 touchdowns in each of the prior two seasons while eclipsing 1,500 rushing yards on exactly 5.9 yards per carry in each campaign. He has all the tools necessary to succeed at the next level, though his early playing time may be capped with Los Angeles acquiring fellow RB Najee Harris this offseason. Still, Hampton offers much more juice and explosiveness than Harris in a similar sturdy frame, and both Chargers backs -- Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins -- garnered 100+ carries in 2024. Furthermore, the former Pittsburgh Steeler is set to become a free agent after this season.
Omarion Hampton Could Slide To Steelers On Thursday Night
A source who keeps his finger squarely on the pulse of the league suggests that North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton could fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21 in the first round of this year's NFL draft on Thursday night. The thinking is that the Denver Broncos prefer Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson and are willing to trade up a few spots to secure him. It's a very deep draft at the RB position this year, which means as many as three or four RBs could be taken in the first round. After Najee Harris landed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency, the Steelers certainly are in the market for a new RB to help share the backfield load with Jaylen Warren in 2025. If the Steelers were to select Hampton in the first round, he'd be expected to lead the team in backfield touches by the end of his rookie season despite the presence of Warren.
Omarion Hampton To Be Picked In Round 1 Of 2025 NFL Draft?
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton is viewed as one of the top ball carriers in the 2025 NFL Draft class, and ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. projects him to be selected in the first round in his latest mock draft. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has been a projected first-round pick all offseason by most outlets, but Hampton also going in Round 1 could shake up fantasy football rookie drafts. Kiper has Hampton being selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 12 overall pick. "I've talked to people in the NFL who have Jeanty and Hampton neck and neck for RB1, and there are even some who prefer Hampton," Kiper said. Hampton rushed 281 times for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns in his final season with the Tar Heels. He added 38 receptions for 373 yards and two scores in the passing game.
ESPN's Jordan Reid reports that University of North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton has declared for the 2025 NFL draft. Hampton finished second in FBS in rushing yards (1,660) and yards after first contact (1,026) in 2024 and added an impressive 15 touchdowns for the Tar Heels. The 21-year-old running back was extremely impressive in his final two collegiate seasons, putting up two straight 1,500-yard rushing campaigns. He also added 67 catches for 595 yards and three touchdowns in his career at North Carolina as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. There's a case to be made that he will be taken in the first round of the upcoming draft this April, although concerns about his abilities in pass-protection could make NFL teams wary of making him a Day 1 selection. Still, he could be the second RB off the board behind Ashton Jeanty in 2025.
Omarion Hampton
• RB
•
Chargers
