The Athletic has live coverage of the second and third rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Read more of The Athletic’s coverage from the 2025 NFL Draft: Best Players Available | Round 1 Grades | Rounds 2 & 3 Grades | Round 1 Winners & Losers
Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers enjoyed a successful debut season that saw the team’s culture shift and resulted in an 11-6 record and a wild-card playoff berth. The next step is building a team capable of contending for an AFC West crown with the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the division title every season since 2015 (the Chargers last won the AFC West in 2009).
After a start to the offseason that was short on splashy moves but filled in several of the gaps on the roster, the Chargers have the flexibility to choose from any number of positions throughout the three-day draft. The Chargers own 10 total picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They used the No. 22 pick to add to their backfield with the selection of running back Omarion Hampton.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each Chargers pick.
Round 1
No. 22: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
How he fits
The biggest hole in Los Angeles’ offense last year was a big-time running back to be the featured weapon in Harbaugh’s downhill, physical offense. After signing Najee Harris, the Chargers complete an extremely powerful and explosive backfield with a player (Hampton) who was more productive than Ashton Jeanty as a sophomore. Hampton is a true three-down running back who can execute in either a zone or gap scheme, inside or outside, as a receiver and a pass protector. A complete player and a very good fit for the Chargers — who also nailed several picks during the first year of the Harbaugh-Joe Hortiz regime last year. If Los Angeles can create more explosion in the run game it’s going to open up so much for Justin Herbert. This pick makes a ton of sense. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
With his NFL-ready frame, Hampton quickly reads the blocking scheme and collects his feet to accelerate through congestion or press and cut toward slivers of daylight. Once he gets north-south, he will mash the gas pedal into second-level defenders, but sometimes does so at the expense of his balance — and those heavy hits will take their toll over time. Overall, Hampton has only average creativity and is a tad tight in his hips and ankles, but he is a bruising runner with an effective blend of patience, power and speed. Given his reliability on passing downs, he is a complete player and should start as an NFL rookie.
Daniel Popper’s analysis
Chargers draft Omarion Hampton: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Fantasy impact
Yes! Hampton is off the board … to share a backfield with Harris. The NFL Draft is drunk with ruining our fantasy fun this year. Hampton is a premiere backup for fantasy with real RB1 upside — if he gets the lead due to a Harris injury, or in 2026 when the job is his. Harris takes a bit of a hit from his potential bell cow work, easily clearing 300 touches, as Hampton is too talented not to get a decent share. Sigh for now, but big yay for 2026. — Jake Ciely
Grade: A
Round 2
No. 55
Round 3
No. 86
Round 4
No. 125
Round 5
No. 158
Round 6
No. 181 (From Patriots) No. 199 No. 209 (compensatory pick)
No. 214 (compensatory pick)
Round 7
No. 256 (compensatory)
(Photo: Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
