The Los Angeles Chargers made a bold investment in their run game when they selected North Carolina star Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hampton entered the league with a reputation as a workhorse after rushing for 3,565 yards and 36 touchdowns in college, including back-to-back seasons with 1,500+ yards and 15 scores.
Now, just months into his rookie campaign, the hype is louder than ever. Daniel Popper of The Athletic went as far as to predict Hampton could finish top five in rushing yards across the entire NFL this season.
“He is the complete package as a runner,” Popper wrote. “He is physical and violent, especially at the end of runs. He has the long speed and explosiveness to score from anywhere on the field. … Hampton has a chance to be a very productive workhorse. I believe offensive coordinator Greg Roman is going to feed the rookie as he tries to elevate the running game in Year 2 with the Chargers.”
That’s lofty praise. But what would it actually take for Hampton to crack the league’s elite rushing leaderboard?
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The Chargers signed Najee Harris in free agency, but the veteran’s offseason fireworks injury left him sidelined for all of training camp. While Harris has since returned to practice, his conditioning and role remain uncertain.
That opens the door for Hampton to take the lion’s share of touches. ESPN’s Dan Graziano even predicted Hampton could win Offensive Rookie of the Year, noting that if the rookie takes hold of the starting job, “he might just take the starter’s job right away and never look back.”
Chargers Scheme + Opportunity
If Hampton does ascend to RB1 status, the environment is favorable. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has long been committed to a run-heavy approach, and his system thrives with physical, downhill runners. Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano went so far as to project Hampton as the league leader in rushing touchdowns, citing his nose for the end zone and Roman’s goal-line philosophy.
With Justin Herbert commanding respect in the passing game and rookie wideout Ladd McConkey stretching defenses, opposing teams won’t be able to crowd the line of scrimmage — which should give Hampton space to operate.
Breaking History
Even with all the opportunity, history says Hampton’s climb won’t be easy. The last rookie to finish in the top five in rushing yards was Ezekiel Elliott in 2016, when he led the league outright. Since then, young backs have produced strong seasons, but very few have cracked the statistical elite in Year 1.
For Hampton to do so, he’ll need:
- Durability: Staying healthy enough to handle 250+ carries.
- Volume: A clear role as the primary ball carrier, even with Harris in the mix.
- Efficiency: Maintaining the explosiveness and physicality that defined his Tar Heels career against faster, stronger NFL defenses.
- Goal-Line Usage: Red-zone carries that turn into touchdowns, cementing him as a fantasy and real-life star.
The Bottom Line
Expecting Hampton to finish top five in rushing yards is ambitious. He’s competing against established stars like Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor, plus rising young backs such as Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson.
Still, Hampton is in a rare position for a rookie: drafted high, in a run-first system, with a legitimate shot at RB1 carries from Day 1. If the Chargers commit to him the way Popper and Graziano believe they might, Hampton has the tools to make history — and perhaps put himself squarely in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race.
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