Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina (R1, Pick 22)

[dmac_bolt]

I agree there was tension in that room. Then it was almost like they instructed the GM to just turn in the pick.

Def weird.

Maybe the down to the second live trade talks phone calls that came to naught was what tensed the tarp. maybe it wasn't about Hampton at all. everyone reads things into images when they have no idea if its true or not.

Maybe Joe was engulfed in such side work and they simply were alerting him - Hey Joe - your clock is hitting zero, you're gonna get jumped by (23) if you don't send your pick in now

[Xenos]

#29 overall on Brugler’s big board:

Still confused about why some people were upset about this evaluation or ranking lol.

[Lyth]

I just happy we're not going into the season with just Harris and what's currently on the roster. RB's take hits and miss games. If we can get through the season with at least one of our 2 RBs healthy each game we should be able to play our game.

[SAY OW 55]

Basically it’s as simple as this. I’ll point this shit out.

1. all our players we targeted were off the board falling off.

1. Egbugah. But he’s a slot we already have a slot Mconckley.

2. we all wanted the tight end. They went quick. The tight end we wanted Loveland went 10!!!!!! Then Warren was off the board.


3. We did best we can getting a guy we targeted Omarion Hampton to address the running game. Getting our Quarterback help.

4. Golden is great. But Hampton helps us more. And I think Hampton is the best overall player and better overall player. Hampton arguably is a top 10 player in this draft.

even some Adrian Peterson to him. What a skillset with the offensive line we have.

5. that’s how you draft.

still with a shot at Taylor and Arroyo.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

Still confused about why some people were upset about this evaluation or ranking lol.

You know how it is-- Some people aren't happy unless they have something to be outraged about. :shrug:

[Formula 21]

That’s the draft. You don’t normally get you first choice.

[Bolts4ever213]

Double H at running back has me excited, they will spell one another after 30 to 40 yard runs.

[jaguarmanftype]

I'm downright certain that the Rams would have selected Omarion if we did not. If you'd ask McVay, he'd probably tell you that running the playbook for the early Todd Gurley/Goff years is what he prefers his offense to be styled upon. Lest we forget, Todd Gurley was the biggest reason the Rams went to McVay's first Superbowl in 2018, and the Rams haven't quite had the rushing production since Gurley. This would have been their Todd Gurley replacement and a perfect compliment to a rookie QB that they'll likely draft next year with the Falcons' #1 pick next year that they traded out of the first round this year for.

[Rambler]

The pick is . . . fine. I think they preferred a few players taken just above 22. But Hampton is clean injury-wise and a strong runner. In baseball terms, a solid double. The offense really took a hit last year when Dobbins went out, and Edwards was hurt at times too. He will produce, early. Converting third or fourth and short should be easier. Running out the clock in end of game situations, more manageable. Controlling the time of possession clock, more doable.

With the depth at running back this year I might have taken the trade-down offer, if it was for equivalent value on the JJ trade chart. But I understand the three-down potential of Hampton, and it's a safe pick.

[Boltx]

It will be interesting to see how they use him this year. I am guessing Harris is the starting RB with Hampton spelling him.

Probably.

If the OL stays healthy, it will be a devastating 1-2 punch in December and (hopefully) January.

[Boltx]

I'm downright certain that the Rams would have selected Omarion if we did not. If you'd ask McVay, he'd probably tell you that running the playbook for the early Todd Gurley/Goff years is what he prefers his offense to be styled upon. Lest we forget, Todd Gurley was the biggest reason the Rams went to McVay's first Superbowl in 2018. This would have been their Todd Gurley replacement and a perfect compliment to a rookie QB that they'll likely draft next year with the Falcons' #1 pick next year that they traded out of the first round this year for.

Todd Gurley is actually a pretty good comp too.

[DerwinBosa]

Not a big fan of RB in the first round and making the identity of the offense a rushing juggernaut,

It worked with LT and sucked with Matthews. LT had LoNeal.

I have to see how Hortiz addresses WR, Edge, TE, & DL before I can adequately judge this draft.

Golden and Pierce were available so it will be interesting to compare their relative performance at the end of the season.

If Hortiz can get either Arroyo or Taylor in the 2nd then I’ll feel more enthusiastic about an improved offense.

I wasn't a fan of the Ryan Mathews pick. We took him over Brandon Graham and Earl Thomas. But Mathews had the talent to be a good back. I think the comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson screwed him up, and then the injuries piled on. I remember reading an article on him after he retired. The injuries he suffered that no one heard about during his playing career sounded absolutely awful. I felt bad for him. He did give us a good year in 2013.

Melvin Gordon was a good back for us from 2016 through 2018. Then he held out like an idiot after receiving a more-than-fair offer from Telesco on an extension during the offseason in 2019. After that, his career was never the same. He was also a fumbler.

Hampton doesn't have to be concerned with comparisons to the best player we've had this century. He's not even expected to carry the load of a #1 back at the start of his career. I also expect to see him run behind better blocking than Mathews and Gordon had. I think his transition will go smoothly.