Fans of the Los Angeles Chargers, by and large, were thrilled when the team was able to select North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick in this year’s draft.
Hampton, the second running back off the board, should be a perfect fit in Jim Harbaugh’s smashmouth offense. But he may not be the most productive rookie running back, at least according to Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports.
Trapasso chose to rank the top five rookie running backs in terms of the production he sees them achieving in their rookie seasons, and Hampton comes in at No. 4 on that list. He ranks RJ Harvey of the Broncos, TreVeyon Henderson of the Patriots and Ashton Jeanty of the Raiders all higher.
Trapasso projects Hampton to finish with 701 yards on the ground and six touchdowns.
“I was lower on Hampton than the masses during the pre-draft process — he’s more old-school runner than the new-age types I prefer with side-to-side wiggle. He’s classic in every sense of the way. At nearly 6-0 and 221 pounds, he has traditional size, and he’s playing for a coach in Jim Harbaugh who’s as committed to the classic philosophy than any other in the NFL.
Now, the Chargers did sign Najee Harris in free agency. He’s going to eat into Hampton’s touches in Year 1. Without question. I do think Hampton’s juice — 4.46 speed — and the fact he was a first-round pick in April will ultimately lead to him assuming No. 1 back duties in Los Angeles right away”, wrote Trapasso.
Most would agree with Jeanty being at the top of that list. But many — especially Chargers fans — would argue that Hampton will be better as a rookie than Henderson and Harvey.
Harris will cut into his workload, but Hampton will get plenty of opportunities and there is little doubt that he will assume the No. 1 spot on the depth chart, perhaps even early on in the season.
The Chargers are going to run the football early and often. Harbaugh is not going to change his philosophy. Trapasso’s prediction for Hampton seems a bit light.
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