Why Broncos may regret not taking the player most mocked to them in draft

Travis Wakeman

•
Why Broncos may regret not taking the player most mocked to them in draft image

The NFL draft is full of speculation before any picks are made and then loaded with what-if scenarios as soon as the team starts to make selections. 

The Denver Broncos went on the board with the No. 20 overall pick and still had plenty of terrific options in front of them. Though Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka went right before at No. 19, Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden was still there. So was North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, the player mocked to the Broncos by nearly every expert just ahead of the draft. 

Instead, the Broncos decided to add to an already strong defense by selecting Jim Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron. The move has been well received by most, but will the Broncos regret not taking Hampton?

When the Broncos passed on Hampton, it left him on the board to be taken by the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 22. Instead of having him on their roster, the Broncos will now face Hampton twice every season, the same task they face with Ashton Jeanty, who went to the Raiders. 

 

Hampton is virtually a perfect fit in Los Angeles and when the two teams met last season, the Broncos had a tough time slowing down the Chargers' rushing attack, which, at least in the second meeting, was led by Gus Edwards. They now have a downhill rushing attack led by Najee Harris and Hampton behind one of the best offensive lines in football. 

The Broncos will have a fantastic defense in 2025, but that defense will be tested in every AFC West battle it faces. Hampton adds a dimension to the Chargers that makes them a difficult matchup going forward. 

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

The Broncos are thrilled that they landed Barron, but probably wish that Hampton went just about anywhere else. 

NFL Draft Trades Tracker

MORE BRONCOS CONTENT

Broncos chosen as team that got the best value with first-round pick Jahdae Barron

Grading Denver Broncos' first-round selection of Jahdae Barron

What does Jahdae Barron pick do for Ja'Quan McMillian in Broncos secondary?

Why did the Broncos pass on offensive playmakers in favor of Jahdae Barron?

Jahdae Barron scouting report: What NFL Draft experts said about Broncos cornerback

Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.