Omarion Hampton is getting his feet wet with the Bolts.
The Chargers 2025 first-round pick took part in rookie minicamp over the weekend and joined his teammates for offseason workouts Monday at The Bolt.
And while Hampton's role as a rookie has yet to be determined, a handful of pundits around the league believe he's primed for a strong start to his NFL career.
ESPN recently published an article with a roundtable on a variety of topics, including which player was an early pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Both ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Ben Solak went with the former North Carolina standout as their choice.
Fowler wrote:
Not many teams are more dedicated to the run than the Chargers, who have a budding star in Hampton. While free agent signee Najee Harris will assume some of the workload, Hampton will have every chance to earn RB1 duties ... and then it's off to the end zone.
Solak added:
I expect Hampton to quickly become a 15-plus carry player on a weekly basis. I thought he was much closer to Jeanty as this class' top running back, and he lands in an offense that will pound the rock and feed off his physicality.
Hampton, who ran for 1,500-plus yards and 15 touchdowns, is one of several Chargers 2025 draft picks who could help on offense as rookies.
The Bolts also took a pair of wide receivers in Tre’ Harris (second round) and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (fifth round).
Those two players also popped up in ESPN's roundtable when the panel debated mid-round draft picks with the best value.
Solak went with Harris, who ranked second in the SEC with 1,030 receiving yards in 2025 at Mississippi.
Sola wrote:
Joshua Palmer left 65 targets behind when he went to Buffalo in free agency, and those targets should immediately go to Harris, who has the same big body downfield -- but a better profile as a route runner and contested catch winner. I also expect Harris to quickly leap over Quentin Johnston as Justin Herbert's primary outside receiver. Big plays and splash weeks are in the cards.
Lindsey Thiry went with Lambert-Smith, who had 981 receiving yards in the SEC with Auburn last season.
Thiry wrote:
I'm going with a different Chargers receiver. Their room is still a work in progress, and there's an opportunity for Lambert-Smith to capitalize. L.A. is returning Ladd McConkey and brought in Mike Williams after he had a challenging stint with the Jets. If Lambert-Smith can develop chemistry early with Herbert, he could be a solid fantasy pickup.
All in all, the four offensive skill players the Chargers drafted — including tight end Oronde Gadsden — scored 102 total touchdowns in college, with Hampton leading the way with 40.
