Hampton is poised to carry a heavy workload in 2026, but can Los Angeles rely on him to do it alone?
When the Los Angeles Chargers selected running back Omarion Hampton with the 22nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the expectation was that the former North Carolina standout would form a lethal tandem with former Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris, whom the team added in free agency—a plan that ultimately didn’t pan out.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea - Imagn ImagesHampton missed seven consecutive games on injured reserve after suffering a fractured left ankle in Los Angeles’ Week 5 loss to the Washington Commanders. The 22-year-old finished his rookie season with 545 rushing yards (4.4 yards per carry, with a long of 54) and four touchdowns on 124 carries in nine games. He also recorded 31 first downs and forced 32 missed tackles.
Hampton showed immense promise despite the small sample size, but the question remains whether he can handle a full workload on his own. The next question is who will serve as his running mate, as Harris is set to re-enter free agency after signing a one-year, $5.25 million deal with the Bolts last offseason.
If Los Angeles decides to bring Harris back, it would likely have to be another one-year prove-it deal after he appeared in just three games, rushing for 61 yards on 15 carries before suffering a torn left Achilles in the Chargers’ Week 3 victory over the Denver Broncos.
There will be plenty of options in what is shaping up to be a loaded free-agent running back class, including New York Jets RB Breece Hall (a potential franchise-tag candidate), Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (another tag candidate), Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne, Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams, Carolina Panthers RB Rico Dowdle, and former Chargers—Commanders RB Austin Ekeler and Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins.
However, there could also be options in the later rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft. Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson, Oklahoma RB Jaydn Ott, Indiana RB Kaelon Black and Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss could all be potential Day 3 targets for Los Angeles if they chooses to select a tailback for the third consecutive draft.
Ultimately, the Chargers’ decision will reveal how confident they are in Hampton as a true bell-cow back. If the team believes he can stay healthy and shoulder the full workload of a lead running back, adding depth through the draft may suffice. But if durability concerns linger, pairing him with a complementary, proven back in free agency could maximize both his efficiency and long-term availability.