The Los Angeles Chargers added a running back in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick. It bolsters the Chargers' offensive backfield, but using a first-round pick on a running back after signing Najee Harris to a large free-agent deal will be called into question.
That said, the Chargeres got an impact player in Hampton. He rushed for over 3,100 yards and scored 30 touchdowns over the course of the last two seasons with the Tar Heels. He also averaged a shade under six yards per carry.
Hampton can also chip in as a receiver out of the backfield and he gives the team a legitimate option to help Harris carry the load, something they didn't have before.
Looking around at the scouting reports that were done on Hampton prior to the draft, here is what was said about Hampton.
Omarion Hampton Scouting Report
"Omarion Hampton is a hard-charging downhill running back with experience carrying a rushing offense.
Hampton is built like an NFL running back. He runs behind his pads with a strong leg drive. He has good body control and contact balance to bounce off tacklers and gain yards after contact. He converts speed-to-power well to run through defenders and fall forward. Hampton is at his best when his shoulders are squared to the line of scrimmage. He is an ideal fit for downhill gap scheme run offenses with a mixture of inside zones. He is a strong short-yardage and red-zone runner because of his physical and powerful running style.
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When pressing the line of scrimmage, Hampton displays light and quick footwork to change running lanes and find daylight. He does a good job reducing his frame and getting skinny to fit through small creases. Hampton is a slashing-style runner once he breaks into the open field. He plays with a good combination of burst and speed to generate big plays as a runner and receiver. Hampton is a three-down player with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and willingness in pass protection. He has what teams need in a bell cow or lead running back."
"Hampton is not the most elusive runner and he runs high, so a porous offensive line could hamper his production (similar to how we've seen with runners like Taylor and Latavius Murray, among others) in the past. But if you can get him in the right scheme, he can shine right away. His pass game skills (protection and receiving) give him the upside to play on all three downs for an offense. He can be a weapon in the red zone but also a home-run hitter at any given moment. If you get him in the right zone-blocking scheme, Hampton could be a star right away."
"High-volume battering ram with a three-ingredient recipe of size, strength and aggression. Hampton is a linear runner lacking creativity and wiggle, but once the gas is engaged, he runs like a downhill truck whose brake lines have been cut. He has the base, balance and power to batter tacklers and reignite runs after contact but he fails to recognize alternative run lanes that offer easier paths and more yardage. He needs to work on his pass protection but can create positive plays on swing passes and screens. Hampton is a tone-setting future starter who can handle a heavy workload, but he absorbs rare levels of heavy contact that could create durability or longevity issues if he doesn’t learn to pick and choose his battles."
"Hampton profiles as an immediate impact player who could step into a featured role in a downhill rushing attack. His combination of size, power, and burst makes him particularly well-suited for gap/power schemes where he can build momentum attacking defined holes. While he may start his career primarily as an early-down hammer, his steady improvement in the passing game suggests untapped potential as a complete three-down back.
His ideal landing spot would be with a team committed to a physical ground game that can maximize his strengths between the tackles while developing his receiving skills. Hampton's violent running style and consistent production against high-level competition indicate a high floor as an NFL contributor. Given his age (22), physical maturity, and three years of proven production in the ACC, he should be ready to handle serious carries as a rookie.
Look for Hampton to make an immediate impact as a short-yardage and red zone specialist while developing into a complete feature back by year two. His combination of power, vision, and improving receiving skills gives him Pro Bowl potential in the right system. Teams running gap-heavy schemes should have him high on their draft boards as a potential day-one starter with three-down upside."
Charlie Campbell, Walter Football
"There is a lot to like about Hampton for the NFL, as he looks like a future three-down starter who can be the bellcow of a rushing offense. Hampton is a power runner who is strong enough to break tackles and picks up a lot of yards after contact. He combines a strong build with a hard-nosed style and contact balance to make it very hard for defenders to knock him to the ground.
Hampton demonstrates good running fundamentals, like the patience to let holes develop, the vision to see lanes about to come open, and good body lean to run behind his pads.
Hampton has the quickness to hit the hole and is a powerful bull stampeding downhill. In the open field, Hampton has a second gear to break off long runs, although he lacks elite speed for the NFL level, so some defenders will be able to catch him from behind. In short yardage and goal line, Hampton is a touchdown machine with a real nose for the end zone."
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