The Los Angeles Chargers’ decision to draft Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, despite receiving what head coach Jim Harbaugh considered reasonable trade offers, underscores the organization’s commitment to their player evaluation process.
This approach, which saw the Chargers select Joe Alt in the previous year’s draft and later acquire Ladd McConkey, has fostered a growing trust among Chargers fans. The team’s strategy involves allowing general manager Joe Hortiz and Harbaugh to select their highest-rated player, even if it means addressing a position, such as running back, that appeared to be adequately filled.
Los Angeles Chargers Simply Took the Highest Player On the Big Board
Hortiz explained the team’s rationale on Pat McAfee’s show: “We stack our players one to 200. We go in that order, and when we got on the clock, he was the guy. He was one of those players that we had up there high that we really don’t want to trade away from him unless we get blown away. Really a special player. Physical, talented runner, very good speed… Excited to have him in,” Hortiz added, “We think he can do a lot of great things for us.”
Hortiz’s comments align with the organization’s consistent messaging since the draft. The Chargers now face the question of how to manage the workload between the highly talented Hampton and veteran running back Najee Harris. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman and his staff may opt for a strategic split in playing time, aiming to keep both players fresh throughout the season and into the playoffs.
The Chargers’ recent draft success, exemplified by their approach in the previous year, has afforded them some latitude to make what might seem like unexpected decisions in the first round.
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