Omarion Hampton

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As a dynasty prospect, few are better than Omarion Hampton. But 2025 is not the year. Apart from the usual rookie teething issues such as pass protection, speed of the game, and hitting the holes that are present, Hampton has a giant Najee Harris-sized obstacle between him and fantasy stardom. Of note is Harris signing a one-year contract only and is on a team expected to rush an obscene amount of the time, he should continue his four-year streak of 250 plus carries for over 1000 yards. Expecting Hampton to be a fantasy starting running back this year is going to fall flat early in the season when Harris dominates carries. Goal-line carries are going to go to the bigger back in Harris as well. Without touchdowns on his limited carries unlikely, where do the numbers come from? The chances of Hampton being so good the Chargers have to flip the roles is possible, but with Harris only a 2025 rental, it’s time to use the season to develop the rookie instead. 

"The Chargers run-heavy system can make any competent tailback a star, and this rookie is Harbaugh's handpicked star."

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Najee Harris will be more annoying than we'd like, for longer than we'd like. But if you can manage around a slow start, it's easy to picture a hot stretch-run from Hampton powering you to a championship.

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Will Hampton one day earn the value the fantasy community envisions this year? Probably. Will it happen as a rookie? Doubtful.The community underrates the consistency and skill of Najee Harris. They conflated the struggles of the Steelers' offensive line with the RB. It also happened with James Conner. It's a common problem with RB analysis.The community overrates Hampton as a "close second" to Ashton Jeanty as a prospect. Hampton could rival Jeanty's production at some point if he earns a bell-cow role in a run-based offense. Hampton has the right offense, but not the role.Hampton's top speed doesn't include commensurate acceleration during the early phase of his runs. It will be harder for him to reach that top speed in the NFL. He goes down too easy against forms of contact that project better to the NFL. Could Hampton earn 1,200-1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns this year if Harris misses most of the season? Yes. but look for Hampton to earn half that quoted value this year.

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He enters the NFL already one of the bigger running backs at 221 pounds and is an athletic specimen. His size and speed were evident on film. The combination of production and athleticism earned him a first-round selection in this year’s NFL Draft. Yet drafters are getting a bit ahead of their skis on this one. Najee Harris is also on the Chargers, and while he’s not a very exciting player, he is a solid one who will be a thorn in Hampton’s side this season. Harris, a former first-round selection himself, is a 230-pound bully running back who has run for over 1,000 yards for six straight seasons, dating back to his Alabama days.

"The talent and draft capital are undeniable, but the Chargers' backfield will be split, at least this season, since they also brought in Najee Harris. Hampton will win this job eventually, but 2024 might be a nightmare committee."