You’ve seen the highlights. A 220-pound tank with track speed hitting a hole and basically evaporating a linebacker into the turf. That’s Omarion Hampton. But in the fantasy world, people are getting a little too nervous about a single ankle injury.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild.
We’re talking about a guy who went 22nd overall to the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2025 NFL Draft. A guy Jim Harbaugh called a "unanimous" decision in the draft room. Yet, because he missed a chunk of his rookie year with a fractured ankle, his ADP is sliding into a range that feels like a massive oversight.
What the Stats Actually Say About Omarion Hampton Fantasy Football Value
Let's look at the reality before the injury happened. In 2024 at North Carolina, Hampton was a monster. He put up 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He didn't just run the ball either; he caught 38 passes. That’s elite production.
When he finally got on the field for the Chargers in 2025, the efficiency was there. He played nine games. He had 545 rushing yards and four scores. If you stretch those numbers across a full 17-game season, you’re looking at over 1,000 yards as a rookie while splitting time with Najee Harris.
🔗 Read more: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
People forget he had 128 yards on just 12 carries against the Giants in September. That’s over 10 yards a pop.
The ankle fracture in late 2025 is what’s scaring people off. He missed the end of the season, including the Week 18 finale and the playoff loss to the Patriots. But here is the thing: it was a bone issue, not a soft-tissue nightmare like an Achilles or a shredded ACL. Modern medicine makes a fractured ankle a blip, not a career-ender.
The Harbaugh Factor and the Greg Roman Fallout
The Chargers are in a weird spot. They fired Greg Roman. For some fantasy owners, that’s a red flag because Roman loves to run the ball until the air runs out of it.
I see it differently.
💡 You might also like: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Under a new offensive coordinator, the "smashmouth" identity might evolve, but the Chargers didn't spend a first-round pick on Hampton to let him rot on the bench. Najee Harris was a one-year rental. He's a veteran who provides stability, sure, but he lacks the explosive "house-call" ability that Hampton showed at UNC and in flashes last year.
Hampton is built for the volume. He’s 6-foot and roughly 221 pounds. At the Combine, he ran a 4.46. That blend of size and speed is why he was compared to Josh Jacobs and Breece Hall coming out of college.
Why Most People Are Getting Him Wrong in Dynasty
If you're in a dynasty league, you've probably seen Hampton’s trade value dip. Some managers are treating him like he’s "injury-prone" after one season.
That is a mistake.
📖 Related: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
In his three years at North Carolina, he was a workhorse. He barely missed time. He finished his college career with over 3,500 yards. He has the "bellcow" frame that is becoming a rarity in today’s NFL. Most backfields are moving toward committees, but Hampton is one of the few young backs with the pass-blocking chops and the receiving hands to stay on the field for three downs.
He had 38 catches in his final college season. He had 23 catches in just nine games as a rookie. That’s a 43-catch pace. In PPR leagues, that’s gold.
What to Expect in 2026
The Chargers' offensive line is still a top-ten unit. Justin Herbert is still under center. The gravity Herbert creates in the passing game means Hampton won't be running into eight-man boxes every play.
I expect a "breakout" year.
A healthy Hampton in a post-Roman offense could easily see 220+ carries and 50 targets. If he hits those marks, he’s not just an RB2; he’s a fringe RB1 that you’re currently drafting as a flex play.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Draft
- Target him in the 4th round: In redraft, Hampton is currently going behind several unproven rookies and aging veterans. If he's there in the late 4th or early 5th, pull the trigger.
- Buy low in Dynasty: Send an offer to the manager who is frustrated by his missed games last year. A mid-first-round rookie pick might be enough to snag a proven first-round talent.
- Watch the Coaching Hire: Keep a close eye on who the Chargers bring in as the new OC. If it’s someone from a wide-zone tree (like the Shanahan or McVay branches), Hampton’s value actually goes up because of his vision and one-cut ability.
- Ignore the "Injury Prone" Label: One fracture does not make a player brittle. It was a contact injury, not a structural failure. He’ll be 100% by training camp.
Hampton is the classic case of "prospect fatigue" mixed with "recency bias." People are bored because he was the hot name a year ago and they're scared because he got hurt. That’s exactly how you win fantasy championships—by betting on the elite talent that the rest of your league is too nervous to touch.