The Los Angeles Chargers could benefit from adding some offensive firepower in the 2025 NFL Draft, with running back looking like a position of need.
J.K. Dobbins has been a very productive player when healthy…emphasis on the when healthy part. The 26-year-old has missed a slew of games in recent years due to multiple injuries, including an MCL sprain last season in Week 12.
The window is now for starting quarterback Justin Herbert, so the Chargers would be wise to get him a young home-run hitter. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has found the right guy for the job in his latest mock draft.
Los Angeles Chargers Projected To Grab North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
Omarion Hampton has been compared to David Montgomery for his imposing physical size (6-foot, 220 pounds) and slashing running style in the open field. He rushed for 3,565 yards on 622 carries in 38 games at North Carolina, with 40 total touchdowns.
Hampton would be the perfect fit in the Chargers’ offensive scheme, one predicated on tons of play-action passing and downhill running. He’s also a terror inside the red zone, especially in short-yardage situations.
In his latest mock draft, Jeremiah predicted Hampton going to the Chargers at pick No. 22 in Round 1, writing, “The Chargers desperately need to give Justin Herbert more offensive firepower. Hampton would hit a lot of home runs in this offensive system.”
Hampton is a workhorse back who led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in rushing attempts in 2023 (253) and 2024 (281). In addition to his dominant rushing statistics, Hampton also hauled in 73 receptions for 635 yards with four receiving scores.
PFSN’s Scouting Report on Hampton
PFSN’s Ian Cummings provided a drool-worthy scouting report on Hampton in June 2024, referring to him as a “rock’em, sock’em runner with a powerful frame” while grading him out as a top-64 prospect.
Remember, that scouting report was submitted prior to Hampton’s stellar senior year at North Carolina. All he did was increase his draft stock in 2024 after leading the ACC in carries (281), rushing yards (1,660), and all-scrimmage plays (319).
Hampton was also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to college football’s best running back. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty took home the honors after rumbling for 2,601 yards on 374 carries, tops in the country.
Cummings scouted Hampton: “Though he’s more of a press-and-go runner than a pure creator, Hampton has good creative instincts — evident in his ability to press into gaps and displace linebackers — but his main appeal comes as a finisher in space, where he can use his burst and agility in tandem with his physicality to muscle through defenders.”
PFSN Has Chargers Taking Texas WR Matthew Golden
PFSN’s Ben Rolfe delivered his first post-Super Bowl mock draft for 2025. In it, he has the Chargers selecting Texas Longhorns WR Matthew Golden in the first round.
Golden could be the outside threat needed to complement Ladd McConkey, who emerged as a reliable target in the slot during his rookie campaign.
Meanwhile, Hampton is pegged to go in Round 2 (No. 41 overall) to the Chicago Bears, where he could take on the Montgomery role for new head coach Ben Johnson. For the time being, though, D’Andre Swift remains the starter in Chicago.
Rolfe wrote: “Hampton is the kind of dual-threat back that [Ben] Johnson loves, but he also has the power to be a force near the goal line … However, it is also worth noting that [D’Andre] Swift was traded out of Detroit while Johnson was the offensive coordinator, which makes for an interesting situation.”
