Chargers select North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton with 1st-round pick
EL SEGUNDO — The Chargers could have used their first-round selection on one of two highly-touted tight ends, but they couldn’t. They could have used the 22nd overall pick on a playmaking wide receiver, but didn’t. They could have opted for a mammoth defensive lineman, but couldn’t, either.
Instead, they landed Omarion Hampton, a running back from North Carolina with the first of their 10 picks in the NFL draft on Thursday night. General Manager Joe Hortiz said he and the scouting staff decided earlier in the week that if Hampton was available, he would be their top selection.
“In the fall, the scouts identified him as someone they really loved,” Hortiz said. “The coaches got involved and it was the same thing. We finished our meetings on Monday with the offense. We went through all the guys (on the draft board) and it was unanimous. If he’s there at 22, do we take him? Absolutely.
“We’re fired up to get him. I feel like we got stronger and better today.”
The 5-foot-11, 221-pound Hampton will be paired with running back Najee Harris, who signed with the Chargers as a free agent last month. Harris topped 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons in the NFL while with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hampton rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior at UNC.
Hortiz’s scouting report of Hampton stressed his production during his college career, especially after Tar Heels standout quarterback Drake Maye was picked third overall by the New England Patriots last year and North Carolina’s opposition could key in on stopping Hampton. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in each of his two seasons as the lead back.
“Some of the things I love, I love the production,” said Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who relied on powerful running games during successful runs with Stanford, the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan. “Over 1,600 yards rushing, 38 catches. Out of the backfield, he gives us a real weapon there. All three downs. The touchdowns this year and for a career (36 rushing). Durable. Outstanding football player.”
Hampton said he looked forward to teaming with Harris and running behind an offensive line that includes Rashawn Slater at left tackle, newly-signed free agent right guard Mekhi Becton and right tackle Joe Alt, who was the Chargers’ first-round draft pick (fifth overall) last year.
“With a good O-line, great running backs, I feel like it’s going to be, definitely, unstoppable,” Hampton said during a video conference call.
By the time the Chargers picked Hampton, tight ends Colston Loveland of Michigan (picked 10th overall by the Chicago Bears) and Tyler Warren of Penn State (taken 14th by the Indianapolis Colts) were gone. So, too, was defensive tackle Kenneth Grant of Michigan (selected 13th by the Miami Dolphins).
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers then picked Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th selection. The Denver Broncos selected Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron with the 20th pick. The Steelers then used the 21st selection on Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon.
“Did I think Omarion was going to be there?” Hortiz asked. “No.”
The Chargers have the 55th and 86th overall picks on Day 2 on Friday. They also have the 125th, 158th, 181st (from the New England Patriots in the J.C. Jackson trade), 199th, 209th (compensatory pick), 214th (compensatory pick) and 256th (compensatory pick) selections on Day 3 on Saturday.
Hortiz acknowledged getting a number of trade calls from teams that he declined to identify, but in the end, nothing clicked and the Chargers, despite using all of their allotted 10 minutes and then some to make their pick of Hampton, were pleased to make the selection they did when they did.
“We had to listen to the offers and we did,” Hortiz said.