The Los Angeles Chargers shocked the world by taking down the reigning AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil, to open up the 2025 NFL season.
A huge part of that success can be attributed to rookie RB Omarion Hampton out of UNC, who looked good as a pass protector and a between-the-tackles runner in his first NFL action.
Those playing in fantasy football and have him rostered on their team would say otherwise, as he put up a measly 8.1 fantasy points (PPR), far below what the expectation was.
Los Angeles Chargers, Fantasy Outlook
Omarion Hampton finished the week rushing for 48 yards on 15 attempts (3.2 Y/A), while also adding 2 receptions and 13 yards receiving through the air.
The primary competition to Hampton is veteran RB Najee Harris, who’s still getting back to form after injuring his eye in a 4th of July incident.
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However, Harris’ return shouldn’t be too concerning. The ex-Steelers RB only received 1 carry for 5 yards the entire game, and played on just 18% of the snaps against the Chiefs.
Omarion Hampton, on the other hand, received the lion’s share of the work, playing on 80% of the snaps.
Season Long Expectations
Obviously, as the season progresses, Harris will cut into Omarion’s workload more.
The rookie will still maintain the bulk of the work, as he looked phenomenal in pass protection in his first NFL action, and is by far the more explosive runner of the two. The expectation going forward should be a 70 – 30 split in favor of Hampton.
As the modern NFL transitions more to a running back by committee approach, the days of a single workhorse running back are nearly impossible to find.
For the next few weeks, however, fantasy managers should be comfortable with starting Omarion Hampton in their lineups, as he maintains his workload and acclimates to the physicality of the NFL.