The first quarter of the 2025 NFL season is in the books.
And the Chargers have had a couple of rookies that have had a big part in their 3-1 start to the season.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler compiled his NFL All-Rookie Team through the first month of the season and included a couple of notable Bolts players on his list.
Atop the list at running back was Omarion Hampton, who has carried the backfield load for the Chargers from the jump.
The No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft had a breakout performance in Week 4 where he ran for 128 yards and a score on 12 carries and also tacked on five catches for 37 yards.
It made him Brugler's top choice among his position.
Brugler wrote:
Hampton leads all rookies in scrimmage yards (380) and first downs (19) and is averaging more yards per carry (5.0, compared to Jeanty's 4.1). He posted his first 100-yard rushing game against the Giants on Sunday, despite seeing only 12 carries, highlighted by a 54-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
The rookie running back currently ranks 12th in the NFL with 270 rushing yards and is averaging 3.83 yards after contact per attempt, good for fifth-most among running backs with at least 30 carries.
Hampton has also flashed in the passing game, however, which has been an element to his game he has displayed early on.
He has hauled in 14 receptions for 110 yards and with a continued trajectory the rest of the way, Brugler believes Hampton could hold the top spot the rest of the way.
Brugler wrote:
When targeted in the passing game, Hampton has been a reliable option for Justin Herbert. He leads all rookie backs in targets (16), catches (14), receiving yards (110) and drops (zero). With Najee Harris out for the season, Hampton will have every opportunity to stay atop the rookie running back rankings.
The second member of the Chargers on Brugler's list was defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell, who has quickly ascended from rookie to big contributor along the defensive trenches.
Caldwell was Brugler's runner-up at his position, as he believes Caldwell has outplayed his draft slot so far.
The rookie defensive tackle out of Oregon has notched a sack, eight tackles and a tackle for loss and has played a big role in all phases.
Brugler wrote:
The 12th player selected at his position in April, Caldwell has outplayed several of the defensive tackles who came off the board before him. He has been a steadying presence against the run while coming off the bench for the Chargers and has flashed some pass-rush juice (see his Week 2 tape versus Las Vegas).
A former walk-on in the juco and FBS ranks, Caldwell (who is already 25) was an easy player to appreciate as a prospect because of his competitive makeup and talent.
Fifth-round pick Oronde Gadsden was also an honorable mention on Brugler's list, as the tight end has come on strong over the last couple of weeks.
After being inactive the first two games of the season, Gadsden has been a steady contributor since then hauling in seven catches, four of which have gone for first downs, for 62 yards.
