Fantasy football owners are preparing for the 2025 season, and one of the players causing a stir in draft rooms is Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton. His college production and athletic background make him interesting, but at his present Average Draft Position (ADP), I'm stay clear of him in drafts. Here's why.

 

NFL vs. Fantasy Football Mindset

We fantasy football enthusiasts are thrilled at the possibility of a player taking possession of touches and see a workhorse role for someone such as Hampton. NFL coaches aren't always seeing the world from our fantasy-skewed mindset. The Chargers, who already have veteran running back Najee Harris in tow, consider Hampton to be a complementary piece rather than a bell-cow back. Both backs are skilled, and the staff will probably use them in a committee role, taking snaps and hand-offs. That split load limits Hampton's ceiling, particularly at his ADP, where fantasy owners are investing in a lead role that won't come to him.

 

The Chargers’ Backfield: A Two-Man Show

Hampton, one of the bigger backs in his draft class, wound up on a team that already had an even bigger running back in Najee Harris, who tips the scales at over 230 pounds. Harris, a grizzled veteran, is a physical back who will provide experience, and that could mean him keeping a disproportionate amount of the workload. There's even a possibility Harris, the larger and more established back, receives the coveted goal-line carries, further reducing Hampton's touchdown opportunities. In a half-touch backfield, Hampton's fantasy worth might not measure up.

 

Greg Roman's Play-Calling Philosophy

The Chargers' offense with offensive coordinator Greg Roman presents the largest red flag to Hampton's fantasy worth. Historically, Roman's offenses have been running-dominated but notoriously stingy when it comes to incorporating running backs into the passing attack. Consider Frank Gore's time with the San Francisco 49ers under Roman's play-calling from 2011 to 2014. Gore, one of the better pass-receivers in the league, saw his targets drop from more than 50 per season to around 20 per season during Roman's four-season run as the team's offensive coordinator. For a rookie like Hampton, who maybe counts on having a work load to increase his fantasy floor, it is a dismal sight. Roman operating the offense means Hampton's involvement in the passing game will be negligible, limiting his PPR potential.

 

The Threat of a Timeshare

Having Najee Harris in the picture and Roman's backfield rotation preference, the Chargers' running back situation is becoming a tease timeshare from a fantasy perspective. Although Hampton does possess the athleticism to flash his big-play potential, an even split of opportunity—perhaps at the goal line v. Harris—makes it hard to recommend Hampton's ADP. Fantasy leaguers drafting him are hoping for a breakout that might not materialize in 2025, given a vet like Harris will be playing large.

 

Better ADP Value Elsewhere

Of note is Najee Harris, even though the veteran status, who dips lower on ADP than Hampton, and that makes him a more suitable choice for those willing to pay for the Chargers' backfield. Harris has a safer floor based on experience and potential work on the goal line, while Hampton's draft worth feels too rich for a rookie running back in a timeshare scenario. Personally, I would shy away from both backs based on unknowns, but if I had to pick one, then Harris is the value pick.

Omarion Hampton is a high-upside option, but his current ADP overestimates his fantasy value in 2025. The combination of a timeshare backfield, Greg Roman's running-back-averse passing attack, and the danger of a timeshare make Hampton a negative value at his draft price. Fantasy players should look for other running back production or roll the dice on Hampton late in drafts.