Omarion Hampton Is the NFL's Most Obvious Breakout Candidate

Omarion Hampton Rookie Season Recap

Hampton's 2025 season was a rollercoaster before it ever had a chance come to a true peak. He played in just nine games after fracturing his left ankle in Week 5, a injury that landed him on the injured reserve. He came back late in the year, only to sprain the other ankle in Week 17 against the Houston Texans. That kept him injured into the playoffs, where he was used entirely as a decoy against the New England Patriots, logging only a single carry.

Hampton was playing behind arguably one of the worst offensive lines in football, a team that lost both starting tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.

Enter Offensive Coordinatior Mike McDaniel

The Chargers brought in Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator, and his track record with outside runs is exactly what Hampton needs. McDaniel's Miami Dolphins ran the second-most outside-the-tackles runs in the league last season, trailing only the Atlanta Falcons. Before that, McDaniel spent years as the San Francisco 49ers' run game coordinator, and is widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the league.

The Chargers also brought fullback Alec Ingold to the team, and Ingold is exactly the kind of lead blocker that makes a rushing attack go. Add in an improved offensive line, with Slater and Alt and new additions like Jake Slaughter and veterans Cole Strange and Tyler Biadasz in the mix.

Between the offensive scheme change and a healthier offensive line, Hampton is going to be a massive player for the Chargers this year.