When the Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton, they weren’t just looking for another running back to rotate in. They drafted him because they believe he can be the guy in the backfield for years to come. After what he showed at the University of North Carolina, it’s easy to see why. Now heading into the 2026 season, I think Hampton has everything in place to have a breakout year.
Omarion Hampton has all the tools to break out this season after showing flashes of star potential as a rookie. Despite playing in only nine games, he rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns while adding 32 catches for 192 receiving yards, proving he can be a true three-down back. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry, displayed impressive balance, power, and explosiveness, and showed he could contribute as both a runner and receiver. Now entering his second season with more experience and a bigger role in the Chargers offense. Hampton is in a great position to take the next step.
One thing that stood out to me about Hampton coming out of college and his rookie year, was how complete his game already looked. A lot of young backs are either power runners or speed backs. Hampton gives you a little bit of both. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and fight for extra yards, but if he finds a crease, he’s got the speed to hit another gear. An example of that is the long Touchdown run against the Giants. That’s a dangerous combination in today’s NFL. He’s also more than just an early-down runner. Running backs who can stay on the field for all three downs are becoming harder to find, and Hampton has the talent to be one of those guys. The more snaps he’s on the field, the more chances he’ll have to make explosive plays. Also, Omarion Hampton has something to prove. First-round picks always have expectations, but Hampton doesn’t seem like the type that’s satisfied just because he heard his name called early. From everything we’ve seen, he looks like someone who’s willing to put in the work. That mentality usually goes a long way, especially at a position where toughness matters every single week.
Another reason I’m buying into Hampton is because of the offense around him. Defenses already have to worry about Justin Herbert, and that’s never a bad thing for a running back. When a defense has to respect one of the strongest arms in football, it opens up running lanes. Teams can’t just stack eight guys in the box every play because Herbert is more than capable of making them pay through the air.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just hype because he’s a first-round pick. It’s about the situation he’s stepping into and the player he already is. The Chargers have been in need of a franchise running back for several years. I think they found that guy in Omarion Hampton. Don’t be surprised if, by the end of the season, people around the league are talking about Hampton as one of the NFL’s next star running backs. The talent has always been there. Now it’s just about putting it all together on Sundays.
