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Where Does Omarion Hampton Rank Among the NFL’s Second-Year Running Backs?
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- Where Does Omarion Hampton Rank Among the NFL’s Second-Year Running Backs?
Coming into the 2026 NFL season, Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton was expected by some to have a big season under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. In fact, at least one analyst picked him to win the league's rushing title this season.
But through six games, Hampton hasn't quite risen to that level. After showing promise last year as a rookie, he has run for 289 yards and three touchdowns on 80 carries in six games this year. He's averaging just 3.6 yards per carry this season after averaging 4.4 yards per carry last year.
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While that isn't exactly Pro Bowl-level production, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report does feel that Hampton is still one of the most potential-laden second-year running backs.
Hampton may still have some real promise
In Davenport's article ranking the NFL's second-year running backs, he placed Hampton at No. 3 behind TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Raiders' Ashton Jeanty.
Davenport feels that Hampton's low production this season is a product of the poor circumstances on the Chargers and not necessarily an indication that the University of North Carolina product is a dud.
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"When the 23-year-old was drafted 22nd overall last year, it was with the expectation that he would be the Chargers' lead back from the jump," Davenport wrote. "He was widely considered a first-round talent after a wildly productive two-season stretch at North Carolina.
"An ankle injury sidelined Hampton for almost half his rookie season, but he was effective when available. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry, scored five touchdowns and contributed just under 82 total yards per game.
"Then 2026 rolled around, and the wheels came off.
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"The winless Chargers are a mess, and Mike McDaniel's decision to use a three-back committee has done little to help Hampton find his groove.
"Hampton has exceeded 15 carries just once this season, while his yards-per-carry average has dropped by nearly a full yard.
"The talent is there, but the situation is a nightmare."
McDaniel was supposed to give Los Angeles a highly effective running game, especially with his zone-blocking scheme. But its execution has been a disaster, and none of its running backs have been very productive.
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On top of that, its offensive line has been ineffective. It has big holes at the center position and both guard spots, and its starting tackles — Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater — are currently injured.
As a result, the Chargers simply haven't been able to generate the type of explosive plays that make a team's ground game potent. While they have had 17 runs of at least 10 yards this season, which doesn't rank too lowly, a deeper dive into the numbers reveals how anemic their running game has been.
They're 23rd in the NFL in negative run percentage at 8.88% through six games. Hampton also ranks 10th-worst in the NFL in rushing yards under expectation at minus 55.5 yards, per Fantasy Points Data .
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It remains to be seen if replacing McDaniel with a more competent offensive coordinator and upgrading the offensive line will turn Hampton into a stud, or if he's simply a nice situational running back but not someone who should be the lead tailback on a contending team.
More on the Los Angeles Chargers
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
