The Chargers exceeded expectations in Year 1 of the Jim Harbaugh era by winning 11 games and making the postseason. Unfortunately, the year’s sizable momentum was halted abruptly in the team’s loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round that was highlighted by a disturbing lack of pass-catcher production surrounding Justin Herbert.
Once again, Herbert was asked to play hero ball to only be let down repeatedly. A run game would have helped to potentially finish the team’s early drives in the end zone instead of settling for a pair of field goals. Once the Texans got rolling in the second quarter, it was all she wrote. Those small moments — whether finishing and seizing momentum for yourself or giving it away — always add up in the end.
I could go on and on (I am the Chargers guy here at SB Nation after all) but I’ll save everyone the monologue. Based on how the board fell through the first 21 picks, I’ve decided the Chargers are going to run with the best player available at No. 22 and, in my humble opinion, that’s North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.
22.) Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Analysis: The Chargers handed out a lot of low-risk signings this free agency period in an attempt to flesh out the roster and potentially fill their notable holes with average players they feel could be coached and eventually outplay their contract. This happened in 2024 with guys like defensive tackle Poona Ford, cornerback Kristian Fulton, and safety Elijah Molden. All three played so well for the Bolts that each earned a much larger contract for the 2025 season, with the Bolts or elsewhere.
General manager Joe Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh have set themselves up to take the best player available at No. 22. There’s not one massive hole on the roster that demands to have a first-round pick used on it, and that’s a great place to be in when it comes to any draft. The best teams let the board fall to them.
In this mock, the Chargers unfortunately will miss out on the top defensive tackles and tight ends. Both still remain around the top of their needs list. Since that is the case, the Chargers default to leaning into the Harbaugh style of football by picking the best remaining running back on the board in Hampton.
I’m aware this pick may seem redundant, but the Chargers aren’t going to want to put the entire run game on Najee Harris’ shoulders. While he’s been nothing but durable in four pro seasons, the Harbaugh jumps at the chance to grab a prototypical running back with an elite blend of size (221 pounds), speed (4.46 40 time), and athleticism (38” vertical, 10’10” broad jump). Hampton will fit right into the Chargers’ power run scheme where his one-cut, downhill-slashing running style will flourish.
With the addition of right guard Mehki Becton and center Andre James in free agency, the Chargers are going to want to run, run, run the football and they want a stable of backs capable of making their plan come to life.
Top five remaining players:
- James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
- Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
- Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Entering the 23rd pick, it’s surprising to still see Kelvin Banks Jr. on the board as he’s a consensus top-three offensive tackle in the class and usually those players in Tier 1 of that position are gone by now. With the Packers up next, it’s not likely Banks is the pick but I would not be surprised to see one of our top remaining defensive front seven players go as Green Bay is certainly in need of reinforcing their trenches.
