Chargers running back depth chart following first-round pick of Omarion Hampton
The Los Angeles Chargers have bolstered their running back lineup by selecting Omarion Hampton in the first round of the draft, envisioning him as a future offensive mainstay. Despite the team's current running back, Najee Harris, having never missed a game, he is under a one-year contract, and Hampton is expected to take over the RB1 position soon. The depth chart features Kimani Vidal, who may not fit well into Greg Roman's offensive strategy, and Hassan Haskins, favored by Harbaugh from their Michigan days. The Chargers plan to integrate Hampton gradually, with aspirations of him becoming a dominant force by his second year, similar to the dynamic seen with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Detroit. The team might add another running back through the undrafted free-agent process to strengthen their lineup further.
Omarion Hampton was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, marking him as a significant addition to their offensive strategy meant to strengthen their running game.
Najee Harris, although a consistent presence, is on a one-year deal, positioning Hampton as his primary backup and potential successor to the RB1 spot, indicating a strategic move for long-term stability.
Despite having depth, the team's backup options like Kimani Vidal may not align with the offensive plans under coordinator Greg Roman, while Harbaugh's preference for Hassan Haskins comes from their shared history at Michigan.
The Chargers aim to develop Hampton into a bellcow running back, hoping he can replicate the successful combination seen in other teams, such as the Detroit Lions, with Gibbs and Montgomery, by his second year.
To enhance their running back roster, the Chargers are considering adding another player through the undrafted free-agent signing process, addressing potential depth concerns.
Travis Wakeman, an experienced NFL reporter, notes that this pick is part of a broader strategy to ensure the Chargers' competitive edge in the NFL, predicting Hampton's rise as a key player.
Hampton's selection is praised by experts, including Mel Kiper, for its potential to strengthen the Chargers' offensive lineup and impact their divisional competition positively.
The Los Angeles Chargers got their running back of the future on Thursday night, selecting Omarion Hampton in the first round of the draft. He will come in and be a fixture on offense right out of the gate, adding to a team that looks to pound the rock on offense whenever it can.
The depth at running back in this draft was great and though most fans expected the team to target one in a later round, Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh came to the conclusion that there is something to the rise up the board that Hampton has experienced heading into this draft.
The team will likely add at least one more running back in the undrafted free-agent signing process, but as of right now, here is how the team's current depth chart looks.
Chargers running back depth chart
| Depth Chart Slot | Player |
| RB1 | Najee Harris |
| RB2 | Omarion Hampton |
| RB3 | Kimani Vidal |
| RB4 | Hassan Haskins |
| RB5 | Jaret Patterson |
As you can see by the depth on the roster, the team needed another running back, even though Najee Harris has never missed a game.
Harris signed only a one-year deal with the team and Hampton, who will open the season as his primary backup, will be the team's RB1 sooner rather than later.
The depth after that is still shaky. Kimani Vidal may not be much of a fit for Greg Roman's offense and last season, Harbaugh seemed to prefer his old Michigan guy Hassan Haskins ahead of him.
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Hampton can be a bellcow running back for this team and though they will likely work him in slowly, this pick was made with that thought in mind for the future. Harris and Hampton can create the kind of combination that Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have in Detroit this season and then the team can evaluate after this season how much Harris still fits into its system.
Hampton has the chance to become a dominant running back as soon as year two with this team.
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