EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Jim Harbaugh has taken a simple offensive approach, whether at the University of San Diego or with the San Francisco 49ers or the Los Angeles Chargers: run the football.
The Chargers needed help backfield help after a subpar 2024. On Thursday night, in round one, they selected University of North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton.
"We just said, 'Wow, this is a heck of a back,'" Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said. "Just getting to watch him do it again this year, two years of production, durability, high character, work ethic off the charts."
It took some time for the Chargers to get the pick in, taking the clock down to almost all zeros because they fielded potential trade-down calls.
They stayed and picked a running back that is exactly what they are looking for— consistency.
"This is not something that was ever split on Mr. Hampton," Harbaugh said. "He's there at 22, that's somebody we're fired up to get."
Fired up because the production from 2023 to 2024 went up even with the loss of quarterback Drake Maye, who became a third overall selection by the New England Patriots.
Hampton rushed for 1,504 yards in '23 and 1,660 yards in '24 while scoring the same number of rushing touchdowns with 15. Hortiz pointed out that Hampton had the same yards-per-carry average in both seasons.
carolina blue → powder blue pic.twitter.com/8WONrtcoSd
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"5.9," Harbaugh and Hortiz said in unison.
"More people geared up to stop him and he keeps producing," Hortiz said. "So, it's impressive."
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman's rushing attack averaged 110.7 yards per game last season, which is the lowest production of a Harbaugh-led team during his coaching career—the lowest.
That is why former Steelers running back Najee Harris, Eagles right guard Mekhi Becton, and Raiders center Andre James— it was all to run the ball.
"Great O-line in place, great running back, great quarterback," Hampton said on Zoom Thursday. "I feel like they're ready to take the next step and win the Super Bowl."
Harbaugh said he saw both Harris and Hampton as starters. Each will bring a different element to the running attack, and the best part is that they can stay fresh. It also makes the play action with quarterback Justin Herbert even more lethal.
"They'll be a great one-two punch," Hortiz said. "He's physical, runs hard, fast. He brings that same type of mentality that Najee brings as a runner."
After 3,164 rush yards and over 30 touchdowns in two seasons, Hampton was considered a close second to now-Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty. Hampton finds gaps, stays patient, and will fight for positive yardage along with having good pass protection.
They are different, but the Chargers now add two potential playmakers in the backfield, with Kimani Vidal, a 2024 sixth-round pick, also able to add something.
"All the way he gets checks all across the board," Hortiz said.
The Chargers are in for a big day two as they still need a defensive lineman, edge rusher, tight end, wide receiver and left guard. They only have two picks on day two, so they need to count.
Hortiz and Harbaugh were all smiling, with the Chargers coach giving his GM credit, in a grammatically incorrect way, as he acknowledged, for having a strong start to the draft with the selection of Hampton.
"I feel like you pay the team more better tonight," Harbaugh said.
