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

[ThatSinkingFeeling]

I like it. They needed a RB and got one.

[Xenos]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6299433/2025/04/24/chargers-nfl-draft-picks-2025-grades-scouting-reports/

No. 22: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

How he fits


The biggest hole in Los Angeles’ offense last year was a big-time running back to be the featured weapon in Harbaugh’s downhill, physical offense. After signing Najee Harris, the Chargers complete an extremely powerful and explosive backfield with a player (Hampton) who was more productive than Ashton Jeanty as a sophomore. Hampton is a true three-down running back who can execute in either a zone or gap scheme, inside or outside, as a receiver and a pass protector. A complete player and a very good fit for the Chargers — who also nailed several picks during the first year of the Harbaugh-Joe Hortiz regime last year. If Los Angeles can create more explosion in the run game it’s going to open up so much for Justin Herbert. This pick makes a ton of sense. — Nick Baumgardner



[jaguarmanftype]

To be honest, I like this pick, maybe a lot more than I expected. Frankly, he could pull off a 2,000 all-purpose yards season (or at least close to it) in his rookie year assuming they were to start him exclusively. To me, he reminds me quite a bit of early Todd Gurley with the Rams in 2017-2018 without the lingering knee issues. He should be great as a pass catcher if Roman decides to incorporate that into the scheme.

[SAY OW 55]

He’s explosive not a CJ Spiller

I really like this guy. I think he’s more like an Eric Dickerson Todd Gurley running back who can just go. Eddie George was tall but not explosive. This guy is tall and explosive. More to me in the mold of Steven Jackson. Punishing. I remember when he came out of Oregon State He was very similar to this guy Hampton. Big strong explosive. Bruising. He could catch the ball out of the backfield. Jackson more but they are similar.

very good player comp

Steven Jackson.

[SAY OW 55]

To be honest, I like this pick, maybe a lot more than I expected. Frankly, he could pull off a 2,000 all-purpose yards season (or at least close to it) in his rookie year assuming they were to start him exclusively. To me, he reminds me quite a bit of early Todd Gurley with the Rams in 2017-2018 without the lingering knee issues. He should be great as a pass catcher if Roman decides to incorporate that into the scheme.

Very very good comparison.

[SAY OW 55]

Hampton is a tremendous athlete.

one of the best players in this draft. Home Run pick. I think we jumped up for joy when he was still on the board. You see where the game is going this great. This is more Tomlinson than Matthew’s.

[Boltnut]

Congratulations to Boltnut! Two years in a row you got your man!

Love the pick!

I like this Hortiz guy...

I didn't think Hampton would be there @#22.
My comp is Josh Jacobs... but faster.
He has elite contact balance...

This running game will be great. Herbie will be fabulous in the play-action game.
If we pick up a good TE in the 2nd round... we will be very hard to stop on offense.

[Boltjolt]

He’s explosive not a CJ Spiller

I really like this guy. I think he’s more like an Eric Dickerson Todd Gurley running back who can just go. Eddie George was tall but not explosive. This guy is tall and explosive. More to me in the mold of Steven Jackson. Punishing. I remember when he came out of Oregon State He was very similar to this guy Hampton. Big strong explosive. Bruising. He could catch the ball out of the backfield. Jackson more but they are similar.

very good player comp

Steven Jackson.

Fair comp of Jackson.

I been wanting a higher drafted RB for three years and we finally got one. I was not too thrilled signing Najee but he runs hard. Had Hampton as a target til we signed Najee then switched to Henderson for a big chance of pace speed guy.
I actually comped him to Eddie George. Both tall, but have size. Both not explosive and someone said....id take an Eddie George". Sure, he has 10k career yards but he was getting 400 carries a year lol. Has a career 3.6 YPC.

Najee a little better than that at 3.9.
Hampton will be more explosive and really when we settle on a LG and OC, Najee will be better too. Don't think we are done fixing the OL thru the draft and some cap casualties later.

Good pick today!

[BoltFan97]

Welcome aboard Hampton.

Bolt up!

[Duck of Death]

5 thoughts coming to mind:

1. We’ve all been hearing ad nauseam about the incredible depth of this RB class since January. While I don’t necessarily disagree, how many true 3 down RBs capable of handling a heavy workload are there in this draft? I count only two surefire candidates - that’s Jeanty and Hampton. Treveyon Henderson is certainly capable of producing on all three downs, but his light weight and injury history suggest a hard limit to his overall usage.

2. Building a contender via the Ravens’ philosophy absolutely requires that you cannot whiff on these early picks - especially since overspending on high priced free agents is out of the question. That made Hampton the absolute safest pick due to the fact that he’s one of just a small handful of “sure bets” in a draft severely lacking in sure bets.

3. Boy am I glad I couldn’t watch this draft live, because I probably would’ve lost my shit watching every single one of our favorite prospects slowly get picked off, one by one. Guessing some of y’all were feeling a some angst, no? Moreover. thank Heavens that Denver didn’t nab him first. I thought for sure Hampton was squarely in their sights.

4. I honestly tire of the whole “BPA” mantra that gets parroted around by every fan in existence - especially since I doubt there’s ever been a GM in history that’s ever openly admitted to taking a PON over BPA. But in this case, mark one for all you BPA’ers out there. I think y’all were right!

5. Fellas, y’all realize this guy could be the best legit RB1 they’ve had since LT? Yep, that little tingle of excitement you just felt can be construed as “bolting up”.

Well done, Chef Joe, well done.

[NoMoreChillies]

Welcome to the Chargers young stud. That contact balance wowed me.


"Imagine Justin Herbert with a run game"

[WindsorUK]

NEVER a fan of taking an RB in round 1( just too many other things have to be in place for them to be effective).
And someone mentioned having our thunder and lightning, well......more like thunder and thunder. He and Harris seem to have similar strengths.
BUT.....if we want to take the pressure off JH to get us victories( not a bad idea!), having interchangeable RB1's isn't a bad idea.
Harbaugh is building HIS team. Let's see how the rest of the draft falls to us. Wouldn't be surprised to see Hortiz package some picks to move up for a player of need today..
Go Bolts!