The Los Angeles Chargers went in a direction hardly anyone saw coming in the 2025 NFL draft. Expectations had them targeting a wideout, but they went with North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton at No.

Austin Ekeler and Melvin Gordon III were once considered to be the future of the position in Los Angeles, but ultimately injury concerns got the better of the duo. The bolts took a flyer on ex-Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins last offseason and the risk paid dividends.

Hampton was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection at North Carolina and set the school record for all-purpose yards in 2024.