Best Ball Guy said managers should hammer Omarion Hampton now because his price will not last. Hampton plays in Thursday’s preseason opener while the Chargers keep Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston on ice—an early sign the staff already views Hampton as a key part of the starting offense. The tout noted that first-round running backs have ‘historically been incredible’ for fantasy, and ranking sites are already nudging Hampton up, which mechanically forces ADP higher. He expects Hampton, Josh Jacobs, and Bucky Irving to settle side-by-side in late Round 2 drafts by the end of August, so getting Hampton in the early third (or later) is a clear value window that will soon disappear.

Kyle Murray warned that the new rookie Omarion Hampton will almost certainly open the Hall of Fame Game, but only for a cameo. Murray expects no more than one, maybe two drives, noting last year’s identical "show-him-to-the-crowd" usage with Malik Nabers. Because the Chargers publicly confirmed Hampton will be active, Murray projects field ownership in the 25-30 % range. He views that as dead money in single-game DFS: limited volume plus massive popularity equals an easy leverage fade.

Discussing chalk expectations, Murray is comfortable fading Omarion Hampton even though Chargers coaches confirmed he will be active. With the team already thin after Najee Harris’s minor injury, he anticipates a ‘show him off for the fans’ cameo—think two or three early drives, similar to the Josh Jacobs preseason fake-out years ago. Hampton could touch the ball a couple times and sit, leaving DFS rosters dead if he commands 25-plus percent ownership. Murray is willing to eat the risk of Hampton surprising with extended run because the more likely scenario is single-digit touches and mediocre fantasy output.

Omarion Hampton’s ADP rocketed to 34.8 on Underdog (RB17 overall) after Najee Harris landed on the NFI list with a fireworks-related eye injury and even Jim Harbaugh admitted he wasn’t sure when the veteran would return. Freedman conceded he still expects Harris to suit up Week 1 and handle early-down plod work, but emphasized that Hampton—a first-round rookie who graded out well in Dwain McFarland’s RB Rookie Super Model—owns the backfield’s real ceiling. With the possibility Harris lingers at less than 100 %, Freedman likes scooping Hampton in the 4th-5th round range for big-play and pass-game juice that best fits OC Greg Roman’s power-run scheme when healthy.

Erik Beimfohr called Omarion Hampton the lynchpin of his “Triple-H” rookie running-back approach—Hampton, RJ Harvey, TreVeyon Henderson—arguing the trio can replicate first-round RB production while letting drafters load up on elite wideouts, quarterbacks, or tight ends early. Even after a recent ADP spike triggered by Najee Harris’s eye issue, Beimfohr still views Hampton as a bargain because all camp chatter suggests the Chargers plan to make him their Week-1 bell-cow. By grabbing Hampton at the 3-4 turn and pairing him with Harvey and Henderson in the 5-6 range, drafters secure immediate touches plus towering late-season upside if the rookies fully seize their backfields. The construction frees salary-cap style capital for premium talent elsewhere, effectively turning Hampton into a roster-building skeleton key rather than just a single pick.

Ryan Heath spotlighted Omarion Hampton as a round-two smash while Najee Harris’ murky status keeps his ADP suppressed. Hampton scored above the 95th percentile in Fantasy Points’ composite weight-speed metric—the first first-round running back to clear that bar since Saquon Barkley, who delivered the best rookie fantasy season ever. Heath expects Greg Roman’s run-centric scheme to hand Hampton certified bellcow volume, and he anticipates Hampton’s price could jump to the early-third alongside Chase Brown if negative news on Harris persists. Heath is aggressively loading up on Hampton now in both Best Ball tournaments and redraft leagues before the rookie-news cycle sends him up a round or more.

Peter Overzet argued that Omarion Hampton is the single best running-back pick in the late-third/early-fourth round cluster and should probably be a fringe second-rounder. With Najee Harris potentially sidelined, Hampton now profiles as a clear bell-cow for a Chargers offense sporting an "awesome" offensive line and a coaching staff that wants to lean run-heavy. Overzet sees no obvious hole in Hampton’s profile: he’s an elite prospect, already getting first-team reps, and his ADP has not exploded the way Dylan Samson’s has—meaning drafters are still getting a discount. He is comfortable selecting Hampton over Breece Hall and Chase Brown at the same price point (only Kyron Williams gives him pause). The takeaway: keep hammering Hampton before the market corrects upward.

Using the same injury news, Valenzuela endorsed Omarion Hampton as a priority target. Hampton is already coming off Underdog boards as RB14, and Valenzuela argued that price could still be cheap if Harris’ eye issue lingers. Roman’s offenses have historically leaned on a single power back (J.K. Dobbins averaged 5.8 YPC under Roman in 2022), so an extended camp runway could lock Hampton into bell-cow status before Week 1. The analyst believes Hampton’s three-down profile plus the Chargers’ commitment to the ground game give him top-10 positional upside.

Jagger May urged drafters to select Omarion Hampton ahead of ADP in both dynasty startups and best-ball tournaments. Hampton steps into a Chargers offense that was already top-three in rushing rate under OC Greg Roman and boasts what May called a “phenomenal offensive line.” With Najee Harris sidelined and risking a demotion to a "Gus Edwards role," Hampton’s path to early-down volume is clear. The rookie posted explosive testing numbers, carries Day-2 draft capital and, in May’s view, owns three critical pillars for fantasy running backs: talent, volume and blocking. He compared Hampton’s attainable ceiling to Ashton Jeanty’s but at a much cheaper ADP, adding that being attached to a superior quarterback only sweetens the pot.

Pat Fantasy Dog Pound said Omarion Hampton is the next big climber on Underdog’s 2025 Rookie & Sophomore board. Hampton is already showing up at the 3-4 turn, and Pat has seen him sneak into the early third in sharper rooms. Pat believes that price still understates Hampton’s profile and expects him to rise "several rounds" once the broader market catches on, likening the situation to previous preseason risers that punished drafters who waited. Because Pat often opens drafts with elite quarterbacks, he admitted he has missed some Hampton shares but is now willing to pay the new sticker price rather than risk being completely shut out. His advice was simple: Hampton "always sort of belonged in that range" and is "one of the players you don’t want to miss," so get your exposure now before the ADP rocket takes off.

Reacting to Najee Harris landing on the Chargers’ NFI list with an eye issue, Bob Harris cautioned drafters against chasing the helium on Hampton. Even with first-team reps available, Hampton is already going as the RB16, a price Harris called “a little rich” for a rookie who could still end up in a committee. He prefers cheaper backs like James Conner, Kenneth Walker, and Chuba Hubbard—players with steadier workloads who cost one to two rounds less. Harris has not moved Hampton up his board and is largely avoiding him in both best-ball and season-long drafts until we have clarity on Najee’s health and the eventual backfield split.

Hayden Winks vaulted Omarion Hampton to 33rd overall after the latest update that Najee Harris is still at Stanford’s medical facility recovering from a July-5 fireworks accident. Winks fears Harris may either miss September or lose passing-game duties if his vision is compromised, creating a clear runway for Hampton to monopolize early-down carries. With the Chargers expected to stay balanced under Greg Roman and Mike Williams suddenly retired, Winks believes cheap rushing volume is coming Hampton’s way. He called the move 'completely justified' in best-ball tournaments where early points boost advance rates and emphasized that Hampton’s stock only rises if Los Angeles removes additional pass-catching options.

Chris Raybon predicted that second-round pick Omarion Hampton will ultimately seize the Chargers’ lead-back role. Raybon said the team punted on tight end in the draft because it viewed Hampton as a priority solution to the backfield, and he believes the coaching staff wants a true three-down hammer to pair with Justin Herbert. Hampton averaged 4.8 yards after contact at North Carolina and caught 27 passes last season, giving him every-down credentials. The rookie’s path looks even clearer with Najee Harris recovering from an off-season fireworks accident that reportedly affected one eye. Raybon warned that any vision issues for Harris could sideline him during camp and open the door for Hampton to handle 15–18 touches by mid-season while Gus Edwards cleans up short-yardage work. Given Hampton’s current double-digit ADP, Raybon is jamming him into best-ball builds and viewing him as a late-round stash who could deliver double-digit TD upside in season-long formats.

With Najee Harris sidelined after a fireworks mishap, Summerlin flagged first-round rookie Omarion Hampton as an ADP riser who still offers upside despite the climb. The Chargers want to lean run-heavy behind a top-flight offensive line, and Hampton brings explosive-play ability Harris has lacked. Every practice Harris misses—he’s learning a new system—makes it more likely Hampton emerges as the clear lead. Summerlin concedes the presence of a veteran threat keeps risk high, but if Hampton wins the job outright he can "smash" even his inflated cost.

Jon Warner revisited Omarion Hampton’s pricing after floating a scenario where Najee Harris opens camp on the PUP list. Warner thinks even a hint of prolonged inactivity for Harris would push Hampton from the early-4th into the mid-3rd round before this time-boxed contest fills. He listed several tailwinds backing the rookie: Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy philosophy, a Chargers offensive line that jumped to top-5 in most offseason rankings, and Hampton’s true three-down skill set that justified first-round draft capital. Warner conceded there is "stiff positional resistance" in Kyren Williams and Breece Hall but believes market sentiment on both is fragile—Hall faces new Braylon Allen chatter and Williams carries durability worry—opening a lane for Hampton to climb another half-round. He urged drafters to keep scooping shares now, claiming the worst-case is holding a bell-cow profile at current cost while the best-case is instant closing-line value if Harris’ recovery drags.

Jakob Sanderson said Hampton’s ADP should now climb into the late-third round after news that Najee Harris will miss the start of Chargers camp because of a fireworks accident. Sanderson leaned on the anti-fragility concept, arguing that every practice rep Harris misses lets the “younger, more talented, more invested-in” Hampton work with the first team and accelerate a full takeover. Because both backs are new to Jim Harbaugh’s offense, Harris no longer enjoys any incumbency edge, so Hampton could emerge from camp as the Week 1 starter. Sanderson has already bumped Hampton up half a round in his ranks and is drafting him over Kyren Williams and James Cook—occasionally even over Breece Hall when managing exposure. He suggested drafters open WR-heavy, then snag Hampton as an RB2/3 at the 3-4 turn in Best Ball or season-long formats.

Tyler Knaeble called Omarion Hampton "the last really good running back" on the Rookie & Sophomore board once the top ten picks are gone. In Knaeble’s tiering, Hampton is the final back with a clear three-down path in Los Angeles, evidenced by his 1,500-yard sophomore season at North Carolina and the Chargers’ paper-thin depth chart behind him. After Hampton, drafters are forced into what Knaeble labeled a committee blob of Travian Henderson, Bucky Irving, and Blake Corum—players he views as matchup-dependent. Because the positional drop-off is steeper than at wide receiver, he is comfortable grabbing Hampton several spots ahead of ADP whenever he needs an anchor RB, even if it means passing on a quarterback or wideout he likes.

Ian Hartitz said he is siding with Omarion Hampton over D’Andre Swift in the mid-round running-back debate because Hampton’s upside explodes if Najee Harris misses any time. Hartitz acknowledged Rich Hribar’s concerns about a probable 55-45 committee under Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman but countered that the Chargers will be among the league leaders in rushing rate, creating a larger pie for both backs. He believes Hampton’s first-round draft capital and three-down skill set give him a true league-winning ceiling that Swift simply does not possess. Hartitz recommended scooping up Hampton in best-ball tournaments and as an upside RB3 in season-long drafts, framing him as the more explosive contingency bet in a backfield that should live inside the top 10 for rushing attempts.

Rich Hribar loves Omarion Hampton’s talent but said the rookie’s path to an immediate RB1 season evaporated when the Chargers added Najee Harris. Hribar argued that if Harris were not on the roster, Hampton would slot right next to Jonathan Taylor—ahead of Josh Jacobs and Bucky Irving—because Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman just spent a first-round pick on him and paid to shore up the line with Mekhi Becton. Los Angeles projects to lean heavily on the run after watching Justin Herbert throw four playoff interceptions and the backfield average only 2.8 yards per carry down the stretch. However, Roman’s history of employing two-back committees (think Ingram/Edwards in Baltimore) means Hampton probably maxes out around a 55-45 split unless Harris gets hurt. Hribar therefore recommended treating Hampton as a volatile RB3/FLEX in best-ball drafts—elite contingency play but overpriced if you’re counting on weekly starter volume out of the gate.

Best Ball Guy recommended hammering Omarion Hampton in the fourth round after Los Angeles spent the 22nd overall pick on him and immediately penciled him in for first-team training-camp reps. Behind a Chargers offensive line that already ranked top-10 in adjusted line yards, BBG projects Hampton’s 226-pound, 4.48-speed profile to earn three-down duties, including goal-line and screen work in Jim Harbaugh’s run-centric scheme. If you miss on Hampton, BBG still wants exposure to the Chargers’ backfield by scooping Najee Harris in the 10th–11th. Harris’ contract is only four million dollars, but that discount comes with massive contingency value: should Hampton falter or miss time, Harris would inherit the same runway to 20-touch games and could become a league-winning piece at a Sharbenet-tier price. The overarching thesis is simple—this offensive line is going to “f—” in BBG’s words, so locking in whomever owns the RB1 job is a priority.

Drafting from picks 8 through 12, Best Ball Guy said his ideal start is hammering wide receiver early and then ‘praying’ that Chargers rookie Omarion Hampton falls back in the early fourth. The thesis: (1) Hampton runs behind what he called a "great" Los Angeles offensive line, (2) veteran Najee Harris is both inefficient and owed very little guaranteed money, giving Hampton a clear path to lead-back duties, and (3) Hampton’s ADP has already bounced between the 4.02 and 4.10 range, meaning any positive camp report could spike him into the late third. Securing him at current prices not only balances zero-RB builds but also creates leverage against drafters who wait and are forced into the murky Tier-2 running backs later on.

Jake Ciely said he would "immediately slide" Omarion Hampton to RB10 if the Najee Harris eye-injury chatter proves real, calling the gap between Hampton and Ashton Jente "10 versus 9.5." Ciely compared the Chargers’ prospective split to last year’s Bijan-Gibbs debate: two explosive talents separated by only a sliver once a potential committee threat is removed. Jente would still edge Hampton in his ranks, but Hampton’s blend of size, pass-catching chops, and a likely bell-cow role in Greg Roman’s run-centric offense vaults him ahead of backs like Bucky Irving, Kyren Williams, Kenneth Walker, and Chase Brown. Ciely already had Hampton at RB21; subtracting Najee’s touches and goal-line vultures pushes the rookie into Tier 1B alongside the elite volume monsters.

Ian Hartitz said that if the bizarre fireworks rumor proves true and Najee Harris is sidelined—or even cut—Omarion Hampton would rocket from his current RB19 slot straight into the back end of the RB1 tier. Hartitz argued the Chargers are an underrated scoring engine with Justin Herbert already guiding a top-10 offense, and new coordinator Greg Roman (plus the Harbaugh run-first philosophy) will funnel 20-plus carries a week to whoever tops the depth chart. Without Najee siphoning early-down and goal-line work, Hampton’s 225-pound frame and proven three-down skill set would give him a clearer workload than Detroit’s Montgomery-Gibbs tandem that Hartitz cited as a comparable situation. In short: remove the Najee obstacle and Hampton’s weekly volume, red-zone equity, and touchdown upside justify a top-10 season-long ranking.

Koh questioned the Chargers’ first-round pick of Omarion Hampton, pointing out that Jim Harbaugh’s club ran man-gap at the NFL’s 5th-highest rate and ranked in the top third for between-the-tackles carries. Hampton finished just sixth out of 12 charted prospects in man-gap success rate and was merely average inside. While his raw traits—6'0", 221 lbs, 4.46 forty—make him a home-run threat when he reaches the second level, Koh fears that creating those lanes could be an issue, especially after Los Angeles added Najee Harris to handle dirty work. He slapped the pick with a 5.5/10 match score and advised fantasy managers to temper expectations outside of deep best-ball formats.

Jason Moore loves Omarion Hampton’s talent—calling him a perfect three-down back with elite pass protection, breakaway juice, and first-round draft capital—but still labeled the rookie "too hot to handle" at 4.11 as RB18. Moore expects Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman to open 2025 in a committee with Najee Harris, noting the Chargers pursued Harris aggressively and continue to praise him. Because Harris is "good enough" to keep drives on schedule, Moore doubts the coaching staff will feel forced to hand Hampton a bell-cow workload this season. He contrasted Hampton’s uncertain timeline with Quinshon Judkins, who should start Week 1 in Cleveland yet goes three rounds later. Moore warned that drafting Hampton means accepting a potentially mid-season or even 2026 breakout while passing on immediate contributors at wide receiver and tight end. Unless camp reports confirm a 60-plus-percent snap share early, he advises letting someone else absorb the risk.

Davis Mattek pitched Omarion Hampton as a late-season sledgehammer. He noted that historically, first-round running backs in run-heavy offenses behind strong offensive lines average top-six fantasy production. Mattek expects Los Angeles to lean on the ground game, giving Hampton immediate volume and elite touchdown equity. Using RunTheSims Week-17 projections, Mattek believes Hampton could legitimately rival Bijan Robinson for raw points in the Best Ball Mania final. The thesis: draft Hampton in the early third while the market underestimates how much a rookie bell-cow with an A-plus line can swing single-week tournaments.

Rich Cooling said he purposely traded back from the 1.02 to the 1.04 because his board grades Omarion Hampton and Tet McMillan almost identically. By moving down he picked up J.J. McCarthy and the 2.02, then still landed Hampton, the three-down running back his roster desperately lacked. Cooling expected the managers at 1.02 and 1.03 to chase quarterback and wide receiver, allowing Hampton to slide. He argued that in Superflex rookie drafts you can exploit that positional demand, add extra pieces, and still secure Hampton—whose scarcity at running back gives him more immediate lineup utility.

Sam Monson said he would have passed on Omarion Hampton at pick 22 because the opportunity cost of a first-round running back felt too steep for the Chargers once they already signed Najee Harris. Monson argued the gap between Hampton (his RB2) and the rest of the 2025 class is far narrower than the gulf between Ashton Jeanty and RB2, meaning Los Angeles could have grabbed a similar back on Day 2 or Day 3. He also questioned schematic fit, noting Hampton looked considerably smoother running zone concepts while Greg Roman prefers a gap-heavy approach and both analysts flagged the runner’s vision in that scheme. With Jim Harbaugh intent on a true one-two punch, Monson expects Harris to siphon early-down touches, capping Hampton’s rookie-year volume ceiling and long-term fantasy upside, making him over-valued at any first-round rookie ADP.

Placed at 1.04, Omarion Hampton drew praise for his explosion and ideal fit in Greg Roman’s run-heavy system. Cooling is unconcerned about Najee Harris, predicting Harris fades into a complementary role while Hampton grabs most of the early-down and goal-line touches by season’s end. The blend of Roman’s willingness to feed a bell-cow and Hampton’s big-play profile makes him Cooling’s favorite running back value after Jeanty.

Pat Kerrane said he is keeping Omarion Hampton locked into the early-Round-4 pocket of Best Ball Mania drafts and will now rank the rookie ahead of James Cook and Chase Brown—putting Hampton on the doorstep of the Breece Hall tier. Kerrane argued that even in the "worst-case two-down" scenario where Najee Harris handles most third-down work, Hampton still projects for 15-18 carries and all goal-line touches in Greg Roman’s uber-run-heavy offense. The real ceiling, he noted, comes if Hampton masters the pass-pro playbook quickly and squeezes Harris into a pure relief role. That path would give Hampton 280+ touches, a workload Kerrane compared to Jahmyr Gibbs’ rookie smash season and the volume Bijan Robinson managers were desperate for in 2023. As long as Hampton’s ADP stays in Round 4, Kerrane plans to be "very happy" scooping him as an upside RB2 who could finish as a top-five back if the passing-down share flips in his favor.

Pat Kerrane said Omarion Hampton is the classic rookie you stomach early-season headaches for because the payoff comes when it matters. He reminded listeners that Greg Roman’s offenses have ranked 1st, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 3rd, 7th, 9th and 11th in rushing attempts and have finished top-5 in rushing yards in eight of those ten seasons. Pair that historical volume with Jim Harbaugh’s trench-building philosophy and a top-10 offensive line protecting Justin Herbert, and Kerrane sees a floor of roughly 211 carries, 1,100 scrimmage yards and seven TDs even if Hampton opens in a split with Najee Harris. The ceiling is Ezekiel-Elliott-style rookie dominance once Hampton beats out Harris— something Kerrane believes inevitably happens because Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 M “RB2” contract after his fifth-year option was declined. Kerrane is perfectly happy clicking Hampton at his early-Round-4 Best Ball Mania ADP, viewing him as one of the few backs who can win playoff weeks when casual managers have stopped caring.

Zierlein called Omarion Hampton the perfect battering ram for Jim Harbaugh’s "hammerhead" offense in Los Angeles and expects the rookie to command 18–20 carries per game almost immediately. Hampton averaged a nation-best 4.1 yards after contact and survived 275 touches last year without injury, traits Zierlein believes will let Harbaugh recreate his old 49ers ground-and-pound identity while protecting Justin Herbert’s surgically repaired finger. The caveat is longevity: Hampton routinely took front-flip caliber hits at North Carolina, so Zierlein doubts he holds peak form beyond a six-year window. He advised redraft and best-ball drafters to pounce at a Round-7 ADP this summer while cautioning dynasty managers to view Hampton as a high-end producer for four to five seasons rather than a second-contract star.

Rich Rebar grabbed Omarion Hampton at 1.02 because he values true RB1 upside over positional scarcity at quarterback. Hampton already handled a massive workload for two seasons at North Carolina, flashed pass-catching chops, and received Round-1 draft capital from a Steelers staff that "we know wants to run the football." Rebar acknowledged Najee Harris could be a temporary thorn, comparing the situation to Trey Benson behind James Conner last year, but argued the risk of a one-year wait is outweighed by Hampton’s size-speed profile and path to legendary upside in an offense built to feature its lead back.

Sean Koerner warned that Amarian Hampton’s fantasy ceiling took a hit when the Chargers selected him 22nd overall. Hampton must share early-down work with newly-acquired Najee Harris—"a volume monster who has never missed a game"—and could cede occasional snaps to tendered free agent J.K. Dobbins. Koerner predicts Hampton’s current RB13 best-ball ADP will slide toward the RB20 range and personally ranks him RB22-24. He envisions a split similar to 2022 Baltimore, where Dobbins got explosive runs while Gus Edwards siphoned 6-10 carries and some goal-line touches. Talent should eventually win out, but Koerner advised managers to wait for the discount rather than drafting Hampton at pre-draft prices.

Mike Wright gushed over first-round pick Omari and Hampton, calling him his 1.02 in rookie drafts and projecting a full takeover of the Chargers backfield before 2025 is finished. Wright argued that Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman targeted Hampton precisely because he can stay on the field for every down—he is a plus pass-protector, flashed soft hands at North Carolina (38 catches last season), and carried a true workhorse build at 226 pounds. Najee Harris is on a one-year deal, so the team has no long-term incentive to keep a timeshare. Wright referenced Greg Roman’s historical 30-plus rush attempts per game and reminded listeners that J.K. Dobbins averaged only an 8 percent target share yet still posted RB23 numbers in 13 games; Hampton will be running in the same run-first ecosystem but with Justin Herbert’s more efficient offense around him. Wright expects the rookie to wrestle away 60-plus percent of snaps by December, finish as a top-20 redraft back, and enter dynasty rankings as an immediate top-five RB.

Eric Polzin slotted rookie Omarian Hampton at No. 2 overall even though Najee Harris sits atop the Chargers’ depth chart. Polzin argued Hampton is already the superior pure runner and is a perfect stylistic fit for Los Angeles’ zone-heavy scheme. Harris is on a one-year deal, so Hampton’s path to a lead role opens as early as 2026. The rookie averaged 3.2 receptions per game last season in college, proving he can handle some receiving work even if he never becomes a full three-down back. Because the Chargers invested premium draft capital in him, Polzin expects Hampton to siphon early-down carries this year and take over the backfield long-term, making him a priority dynasty stash despite a potentially slow rookie season.

Pat Kerrane said he is bumping Omarion Hampton up another mini-tier in both Best Ball Mania and early redraft ranks. After re-watching rookie workloads for Jahmyr Gibbs (who smashed as a 3/4-turn pick) and Bijan Robinson (still logged 14.7 PPR points per game despite Arthur Smith), Kerrane concluded Hampton’s current late-fourth ADP is still too cheap. He will now draft the Chargers rookie ahead of James Cook, Chase Brown and, pending final roster moves, possibly even Breece Hall. Kerrane’s logic: Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman historically lean run-heavy, first-round backs almost always see volume by mid-season, and Hampton’s skill set (plus pass protection, bruising between the tackles) mirrors the traits that let Gibbs and Zeke Elliott become league-winners as rookies. With only a one-year Najee Harris roadblock, Kerrane believes Hampton has a realistic RB1 overall path if he seizes the starting job by October, so he is comfortable taking him as early as the late-third round in Best Ball tourneys and at 1.04/1.05 in 1QB dynasty rookie drafts.

Pat Kerrane said Omarion Hampton is one of the best fourth-round bets in both Best Ball and managed leagues even though Najee Harris could annoy us in September. Kerrane reminded listeners that Greg Roman offenses have never finished lower than 11th in rushing attempts and have been top-5 in rushing yards in eight of his ten play-calling seasons. With Jim Harbaugh and Roman now paired with Justin Herbert, he sees a line that will open holes and an OC who will happily feed a first-round back once the rookie masters protections. Worst-case projection, per Kerrane: 211 carries, 1,100 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns—roughly mid-RB2 numbers. Best case, Hampton grabs the 1A role by October and becomes a "late-season hammer" similar to 2022 Cam Akers or rookie-year D’Andre Swift, with 20-plus touches in the fantasy playoffs. Najee’s one-year, $5.25 M contract screams placeholder, and Kerrane noted that first-round RBs almost always see the field because teams realize the rookie-contract clock is ticking. He is comfortable taking Hampton at pick 40-45, expects to be overweight on the field if the market frets about early-season usage, and will correlate him with Herbert in tournament builds.

Andy Holloway predicted Dallas will shock the room—much like Detroit did with Jahmyr Gibbs—by taking Omarion Hampton at pick 12, nearly eight spots ahead of his consensus 19.5 draft-prop line. Holloway argued that Mike McCarthy’s offense finished dead-last in rushing EPA after Tony Pollard’s departure and has no reliable early-down back on the roster. Hampton’s 226-pound frame, 91st-percentile burst score and 47 forced missed tackles give Dallas the between-the-tackles hammer it lacked in goal-to-go situations (league-worst 37 percent conversion rate). Holloway added that the Cowboys are comfortable waiting on the thinner WR class until Day 2 because the RB pool is much deeper. In redraft and best-ball formats he would draft Hampton as an upside RB2 who could lead the league in carries behind one of football’s top run-blocking lines.

McFadden called Omarion Hampton a plug-and-play bell-cow that Denver should scoop at pick 20. He praised Hampton’s burst and elite contact balance, labeling him RB2 only because Ashton Jeanty shares the class. The Broncos have not produced a 1,000-yard rusher since 2019; Sean Payton’s best offenses have always leaned on a durable feature back. With Denver already reinforcing tight end (Evan Engram) and breaking in a young quarterback, a Hampton selection would immediately stabilize the offense and give fantasy drafters a Day-1 volume play. McFadden noted Hampton would be RB1 in most classes, making him tremendous value if he slips into the back half of Round 1.

Ryan Wilson revealed that Denver is enamored with Ashton Gentry but, if unable to trade up, will strongly consider Omarion Hampton at pick 20. Hampton’s profile screams every-down NFL back: 1,222 rushing yards after contact (second in FBS), back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons, 220-pound frame, and verified sub-4.50 speed. Wilson ranks him 42nd overall only because of a deep RB class, insisting he ‘won’t bat an eye’ if Hampton goes 20th. He highlighted Hampton’s pass-catching chops and blitz pickup—traits Sean Payton covets to support Bo Nix. Draft-prop bettors should note Hampton’s true draft slot over/under is likely closer to 22.5 than consensus mocks indicate, with Denver the clear favorite.

Chris Raybon floated three ways to attack Omarion Hampton’s draft range: (1) Minnesota to draft Hampton at pick 24 at 11-to-1, (2) under 19.5 draft slot at 3-to-1, and (3) a moon-shot 26-to-1 on Hampton sneaking into the top 10. Raybon argued that if Denver trades up for Ashton Gentry—as market whispers suggest—the RB-needy Vikings become the next logical landing spot. He views Hampton as the clear RB2, "with less tread and better hands than Gentry," making him attractive to Kevin O’Connell’s pass-heavy scheme. Raybon assigns Minnesota roughly a 9 % chance of grabbing Hampton at 24 and sees the under-19.5 prop as a hedge against a surprise trade-up by another RB-starved team.

Ben Stevens told listeners to bet the over on any first‑round running‑back prop (commonly set at 1.5) because the market is already giving away its hand. Ashton Jeanty is a prohibitive –350 favorite to go inside the top six, while Omarion Hampton is –1500 simply to be selected on Thursday night and –400 to be the first back taken after pick 10. Those numbers, Stevens argued, imply at least two backs are virtual locks, with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins still lurking as late‑round one surprise candidates. He also referenced the positional resurgence—Bijan Robinson (8th) and Jahmyr Gibbs (12th) in 2023—as evidence that front offices are once again willing to invest day‑one capital in bell‑cows. His advice: “If your book is still hanging over 1.5 at plus money, smash it before they catch up.”

Jonathan Jones said every league source he trusts believes Denver will not gamble on the depth of this running‑back class; instead they will secure Tar Heel bell‑cow Omarion Hampton, even if it means moving up from No. 20. Hampton crushed 2024 with 1,689 rushing yards and 52 broken tackles while adding 24 catches—a profile HC Sean Payton typically covets. The entire NFL knows Denver’s interest, so Jones warns a team in the teens could dangle the pick for a modest haul and snipe the Broncos. He puts the probability of a Denver trade into the 14‑17 range at "north of 60 %". Draft‑prop bettors still seeing Hampton First RB off the board at –140 should treat that as a value hold, per Jones.

Thor Nystrom said Denver will not hesitate to take Omarion Hampton if he lasts to pick 20 and urged listeners to sprinkle on any ‘Team to Draft Hampton – Broncos’ props still sitting north of 10‑to‑1. Nystrom called the North Carolina bruiser “scheme‑agnostic,” noting Hampton averaged 4.6 yards after contact in both gap and zone concepts while handling 22 touches per game. He squatted so much weight in high school that coaches literally stopped adding plates, and that lower‑body power showed up on tape with an FBS‑best 94 forced missed tackles last year. Despite the 226‑pound frame, Hampton hit 22.0 mph on the GPS and compiled 12.0 yards after catch on screens and swings—traits Nystrom compared to former Saints star Deuce McAllister, a back Sean Payton knows intimately. Pairing Hampton with Bo Nix would give Payton his preferred play‑action and dump‑off engine, letting the rookie quarterback stay on schedule. Thor still loves his earlier Under 19.5 position prop but said the juicier angle now is Denver‑specific exact‑order or first‑team markets before oddsmakers connect the dots.

Thor Nystrom told listeners to take any line that lists Omarian Hampton’s draft position higher than 19.5, insisting the North Carolina workhorse is a lock to be selected inside the top 20. While some analysts lump Hampton into the same tier as Caleb Johnson and the two Ohio State backs, Nystrom said league evaluators disagree, viewing a noticeable gap after Hampton. Teams love his 226‑pound frame, three‑down vision, and pass‑pro chops; several front‑office scouts compared his contact balance to Nick Chubb’s coming out of Georgia. With running‑back‑needy clubs such as Denver (pick 20) and Tampa Bay (pick 19) lurking—and a dearth of power runners in the class—Nystrom believes the market is mis‑pricing Hampton’s floor. He advised bettors to smash the draft‑slot under before it inevitably closes in the 17‑range next week.

Jake Butt urged bettors to sprinkle on Omarion Hampton to be the first running back off the board, calling the +550 price (available at several books) far too long. Butt noted multiple front offices have a higher grade on Hampton than Ashton Jeanty because Hampton combines 225‑pound tackle‑breaking power with legit 4.46 speed, finishing 2024 top‑five in missed tackles forced (86) and yards after contact per rush (4.2). He also pointed out Hampton’s 31‑catch season answered any doubts about third‑down utility, something analytics‑driven teams covet. With several RB‑needy franchises—Arizona, Washington, and Cincinnati—selecting between picks 20‑32, Butt believes one could prioritize Hampton’s every‑down profile and take him ahead of Jeanty at plus odds.