NFL teams looking for an explosive running back on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft have a player they should be eyeing beyond Ashton Jeanty. His name is Omarion Hampton and the former North Carolina star is generating buzz as the draft inches closer.
In producing back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons, there hasn’t been a more productive running back in the nation than Hampton. He literally carried the Tarheels with his ability to break tackles and his ability to power through defenders in short yardage and goal line situations. What also stands out about Hampton is his burst and breakaway speed when he hits daylight.
With the emergence of the running back in the NFL, teams will be high on Hampton. How high? Sky’s the limit if he lands with any one of three teams in search of an RB1.
Is Omarion Hampton the second-best impact running back in the 2025 NFL Draft?
With a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 88.4, Hampton’s elusiveness stood out in his 1,222 yards after contact. He also showed an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield with 373 receiving yards. His overall power as a runner makes him perhaps the second most intriguing running back in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Per PFF:
“Hampton is one of the class' most physically gifted running backs with his combination of size, explosiveness and lower-body strength. He can be a productive slasher type of runner behind zone schemes, but his overall vision could make him a boom-or-bust producer, depending on his offensive line.”
3 interesting NFL fits for Omarion Hampton
In all, the consistency in production is what stands out about Hampton. He has been the heart of the North Carolina offense the last two seasons and is a player who gets it done with the ball in his hand. Whether its running between and through the trenches or with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, Omarion Hampton is going to be a special performer in the NFL if he lands in the right situation.
Here are the 3 top fits for the explosive running back:
Chicago Bears: With Ben Johnson now running the show, the running game will be a focus. Can they find the perfect running back to pair with D’Andre Swift? In this draft there are some candidates. The most impactful is Ashton Jeanty, but if he’s gone by the time the Bears select at No. 10, Omarion Hampton is a great early Day 2 choice for the Bears. In sharing the rock with Swift, the Bears would form a two-headed monster behind second-year quarterback Caleb Williams to help take some pressure off him.
Pittsburgh Steelers: After the departure of Najee Harris, the Steelers will be on the hunt for a featured back. The question is how much of a top priority is the position for a team also in need of a quarterback. In a deep draft, the Steelers could find a talented back later in the draft, but if Aaron Rodgers temporary solves the QB need, then the Steelers would be a great destination of Hampton at No. 21. More explosive than Harris, the former North Carolina star would take over as the power back with Jaylen Warren as the change of direction back. Also, wouldn’t he look great in black and gold?
Denver Broncos: The Broncos need a featured running back and Omarion Hampton is a player who they could look at with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Broncos have other needs to address, but stabilizing the run game behind Bo Nix is a big need and one they will address in this draft. Will it be as high as No. 20? Well, if it is, Hampton is the guy and could be the next great running back in Denver.