The Chargers added some big-time juice to their offense Thursday night.
The Bolts selected North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft, a move that gives the Chargers offense a top-tier weapon in the backfield.
Najee Harris will provide consistency and stability at running back in 2025 but he only signed a 1-year deal in free agency.
Hampton, the type of prospect who can potentially transform the offense with his skillset, is now a centerpiece of the future for the Bolts.
And his selection means Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz and the front office felt that the running game, which languished at times in 2024, needed a boost.
Hampton, who is generally viewed as a Top-25 player in this year's draft class, will bring that.
He was ranked No. 13 overall by Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network.
Jeremiah wrote:
Hampton is a big, athletic back. As a runner, he likes to press the hole early before deciding to stay inside or bounce out wide. He has enough speed to capture the corner when he gets to the perimeter. He's a loose runner and has make-you-miss ability in space. He has an impressive blend of power and balance on contact. His vision is a little inconsistent, though. He will occasionally run up the back of blockers. In the pass game, he's effective on angle routes, screens and shovels. He has strong, reliable hands. In pass pro, he is quick to sort and attack blitzers with a sharp, six-inch punch. Overall, Hampton has the size and tools to be an effective starter right away.
Hampton was also the No. 14 prospect by ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr.
Here's what Kiper said about the 6-foot and 221-pound Hampton:
Hampton is a dependable rusher who can make defenders miss in the hole. And once he sees daylight, he's gone. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, and that is a solid time for a running back of his size. And he averaged 5.9 yards per carry last season and had 45 runs for 10 or more yards.
Hampton is also a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield and holds up well as a blocker when asked to pick up a pass rusher. In short, he's an impressive all-purpose performer.
Take a look through some photos of the Chargers selection at No.22 in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Running Back Omarion Hampton from the University of North Carolina.
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs for yardage against Miami linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
FILE - North Carolina's Omarion Hampton (28) runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida A&M in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. Thomas was selected top first-year freshman in the Associated Press ACC Midseason Awards, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022.(AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)
North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs the ball during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Appalachian State, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs the ball for a touchdown as Minnesota defensive lineman Kyler Baugh (93) closes in during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs past Syracuse defensive back Justin Barron (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) breaks away from Campbell place defensive lineman JT Whitmore (42) as he runs for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton runs for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton runs for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Campbell in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) tries to get past Duke safety Jeremiah Lewis (39) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs with the football during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs the ball against Pittsburgh during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs the ball during the first half an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) is grabbed by Florida State defensive back Shyheim Brown (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) runs past Wake Forest linebacker Aiden Hall and defensive back C'Darius Kelley (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) outruns North Carolina State defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland (44) and safety DK Kaufman (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton (28) evades North Carolina State safety Rente Hinton (14) and linebacker Kamal Bonner (34) as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Hampton was elite for North Carolina in his career, earning Second-Team All-American honors, First-Team All-ACC accolades and being a finalist for the Doak Walker Award (nation's top running back) in each of the past two seasons.
Hampton scored 15 rushing touchdowns in each of the past two seasons and ran for 1,500-plus yards in back-to-back years.
Hampton likely won't waste any time coming into the NFL and making an impact as both a running back and a receiver out of the backfield.
The Chargers will surely ask Hampton to do both at the pro level, and while he likely won't be called upon to start right away, there's a good chance he excels with his all-around game.
To put it succinctly, Hampton should fit right in anywhere on the Chargers offense and contribute right away.
Running back was among a handful of directions the Chargers could go in Round 1 the 2025 NFL Draft, and the chance to get one of the best players at that position was too good to pass up.
Now, the thought of Hampton teaming up with Herbert and Ladd McConkey should strike fear into opposing defenses for years to come.
Get all of your Bolts draft news at the Chargers 2025 Draft Hub.
