In a move that reinforces their emphasis on running the football, the Los Angeles Chargers used the No. 22 overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft to add depth to their running back room, selecting Omarion Hampton of North Carolina. The first round of the NFL draft was held Thursday Night in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Hampton was rated the second best running back in the 2025 NFL draft and a player that could start and make an impact right away. Hampton will not need to start right away but will provide a very good two-back running attack along with Najee Harris, who was acquired through free agency in March.
Hampton is 6-feet tall and weighs 221 pounds. At the NFL combine, he ran 4.46 forty and had a vertical jump of 38 inches. Ourlads Scouting Services describes Hampton as “an every down, every situation contributor who will add multiple dimensions to an offense. Breaks tackles with brute physical force and elite contact balance. The only back with over 1,000 yards after contact each of the past two seasons. He is a threat for explosive plays every time he touches the ball.”
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com describes Hampton as a “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.”
In the 2024 season, Hampton rushed for 1,660 yards and had 15 rushing touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. In the 2023 season, Hampton rushed for 1,504 yards and had 15 rushing touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Hampton had 73 career receptions on 80 targets, with just 2 drops. Hampton has been amazingly consistent in his college career.
Hampton was a second-team Associated Press All-American in both 2023 and 2024. He was a first-team All-ACC pick in both 2023 and 2024. The Chargers got a player in this draft that will make an impact in the 2025 season and beyond.
The second and third rounds of the 2025 NFL draft will continue in Green Bay today, Friday, April 25 at 4:00 pm and will be televised on ESPN2 and the NFL Network. Teams get seven minutes to pick in the second round and five minutes to submit a pick in the third round.
Harris and Hampton will provide a very physical running attack in 2025 for the Chargers. The Chargers should be looking to add a wide receiver and tight end in the next two rounds to help quarterback Justin Herbert and the play-action offense. Two possible targets could be tight end Terrance Ferguson of Oregon and wide receiver Kyle Williams of Washington State.