Los Angeles Chargers choose North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton in effort to boost offense
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers went into coach Jim Harbaugh’s second offseason determined to build the powerful running game that was the trademark of his success at previous stops at Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan.
By selecting North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with the 22nd pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night and pairing him with free-agent signing Najee Harris, Harbaugh believes he now has two of the necessary pieces in place to make it happen.
“We gotta look at Najee and Omarion (as) both starters,” Harbaugh said. “It’s like a third wide receiver. It’s like a nickel (defensive) back. … I think they’re both outstanding.”
The powerful Hampton, who checks in at 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds, had two impressive seasons as a starter for the Tar Heels with more than 1,500 yards rushing. The first came in 2023 when he shared the backfield with New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Without the presence of the third overall pick in the 2024 draft this past season, Hampton had 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games.
General manager Joe Horitz said Hampton stood out during early evaluations last summer, and the production without Maye was equally impressive to the Chargers. It was enough to make him the second running back taken in the first round, following Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
“Certainly teams are gonna load the box more. And I think, this is off the top of my head, I think he averaged almost, if not, the same exact yards per carry this year,” said Horitz, before Harbaugh jumped in to confirm Hampton had identical 5.9 yards per carry averages in his two seasons as the lead back.
Horitz and Harbaugh were also impressed by Hampton’s consistency, durability and well-rounded skill set. He led the ACC in carries and rushing yards in back-to-back seasons and added 73 receptions for 635 yards and four touchdowns during his college career.
The Chargers needed to upgrade their offensive firepower after the run game tailed off throughout Harbaugh’s first season, which ended with a 32-12 wild-card round loss to Houston. The team’s average of 4.06 yards per carry ranked 24th in the NFL despite heavy investment in the offensive line. In the postseason, they managed just 50 yards on 18 carries.
Hampton will now be paired up with a four-time 1,000-yard rusher in Harris. Harris, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a one-year contract in March.
Horitz said the two new additions share similar traits, which was exactly what Los Angeles was looking to add coming into the draft.
“I think it’ll be a great one-two punch,” Horitz said. “He’s physical. He runs hard. He’s fast. And he bring that brings same type of mentality Najee brings as a runner. Like I said last week, we’re looking for someone who complements but also offers the same.”
The decision to draft Hampton was unanimous throughout the organization, Horitz said, but the Chargers ran down the clock before making the pick as they discussed potentially trading down to add more picks in what is regarded as a deep prospect pool.
“But in the end, you either make a pick or you make a trade,” Horitz said. We made the pick.”
Hampton wasn’t regarded by draft analysts as a particularly creative tailback but that is likely to be less of an issue in Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s downhill offense.
Hampton already knows how he will fit into what Harbaugh wants to do.
“I know he loves to run the ball,” Hampton said in a video call with reporters. “I feel like he knows what he wants. Like he’s all-in to win the Super Bowl, so I feel like I love that. … I’m grateful to be a part of it, and I’m excited to get started soon.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
By DAN GREENSPAN
Associated Press
