Los Angeles Chargers Rookie Predicted To Win Major Award This 2025

Analysts have praised Hampton’s skill set, noting his combination of power and speed that makes him a threat on every play. Reports indicate that he could finish among the league’s top five in rushing yards, a rare feat for a rookie. ESPN insiders have gone so far as to predict that he will outperform other highly touted rookies, including those chosen ahead of him in the draft.

As the Chargers prepare for their season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, the coaching staff is likely to rely heavily on Hampton. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s run-heavy scheme is well-suited for a player of Hampton’s capabilities, potentially allowing him to thrive in his rookie season.

ESPN Predicts Los Angeles Chargers’ Omarion Hampton to Win Offensive Rookie of the Year

Hampton is already making waves even before the 2025 season has started. This is detailed more in an analysis by Dan Graziano for ESPN.

Don’t be surprised if … running back Omarion Hampton wins Offensive Rookie of the Year.

What I’m hearing: The Chargers really like veteran running back Najee Harris. They gave him $5.25 million guaranteed in free agency and anticipated him being their starting running back, even after drafting Hampton in the first round. But Harris suffered an unfortunate eye injury in July that cost him a ton of training camp practice time. In the meantime, my understanding is that Hampton emerged quickly.

Harris should still be in the mix once he’s back and fully healthy, and that could well be in time for Week 1. But despite what offensive coordinator Greg Roman has been saying about the backs splitting snaps, I think Hampton is in line for a major role as the starter for the Chargers. And if he’s what they thought he could be when they spent that first-round pick on him, he might just take the starter’s job right away and never look back.

Despite the high expectations, history suggests that Hampton will face significant challenges. Few rookies have managed to break into the elite rushing ranks in their first year, making his path to success a steep one.

If Hampton can stay healthy and capitalize on the opportunities presented to him, he could very well become a standout player in the NFL. His performance this season will be closely monitored as he aims to solidify his place among the league’s elite.