Chargers take Hampton in Round 1 to give Herbert new weapon

The Los Angeles Chargers continue to revamp their backfield.

Los Angeles selected North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 22nd overall.

Hampton, 22, is the second tailback off the board in 2025 after Ashton Jeanty, who went sixth overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The former Tar Heels star led the ACC with 3,164 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on the ground over the last two seasons.

The running back position was a major need for the Chargers this offseason. Los Angeles also signed Najee Harris in free agency.

Pre-draft profile

It won't take long for fans to fall in love with Hampton's game. He's an impressive athlete who provides an exciting blend of size, speed, and power. While he could benefit from a more patient running style, his eagerness to get upfield and hit somebody is a big part of what makes him so effective. The UNC standout explodes into contact and regularly bounces off defenders to keep runs alive. He demonstrates much better short-area quickness than you'd expect for a ball carrier with his kind of play style, and he's got the long speed to hit the home run when he breaks into the open field. The early down skill set alone would make Hampton an intriguing enough prospect, but he also should enter the NFL as a true three-down back. His big-play ability shows up as a receiver out of the backfield, and the physicality makes him an effective player in pass protection. Hampton's a first-round talent with Pro Bowl upside in a downhill running game.