2025 NFL Draft prospect profile – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Will Hampton be the second running back off the board?

The 2025 NFL Draft is incredibly deep and talented at the running back position. Despite the general devaluing of the position in the draft, there will likely be three backs who carry first round grades this year.

Omarion Hampton of North Carolina might be the most well rounded of the top running back prospects. He can contribute on all three downs, in the running and passing game, has the size for a power run game and the athleticism to execute in a zone scheme.

The Giants likely won’t be in a position to draft Hampton, however it’s possible that he could wind up on a rival’s roster. So with that in mind, we should have an idea of what he can do.

Prospect: Omarion Hampton (28)
Games Watched: vs. Duke (2024), vs. Georgia Tech (2024), vs. Florida State (2024), vs. NC State (2024)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths

Best traits

• Athleticism
• Vision
• Competitive toughness
• Versatility

Omarion Hampton is a well-rounded running back who’s almost purpose-built for a modern spread offense. He has a prototypical blend of size and athleticism at 5-foot 11 ¾ inches tall, 221 pounds, and 4.46-second speed.

Hampton is a very good all-around athlete with solid speed, good agility, and good balance. He has the athletic traits to execute both inside and off-tackle runs, as well as operate in an outside zone, inside zone, and man-gap blocking scheme. He has enough speed to win the edge on outside runs against a defense forced to condense by the formation, as well as enough power to be an inside runner against a defense that’s spread thin by a wide formation.

From there, Hampton has enough speed to turn decent runs into chunk plays. While he may not run away from more athletic defenders, he’s fast enough to sustain separation and pick up significant yardage in the open field.

He combines his athletic traits with good vision, allowing him to identify holes and cutback lanes – which his athleticism allows him to access. Likewise, he’s able to track and anticipate defenders at the first and second levels. He does a very good job of using his tempo and pathing to manipulate defenders. He’s also skilled at using micro-adjustments and body language to force defenders to commit the wrong way.

Hampton is a capable player in the passing game. He’s able to use his size and play strength as a pass protector, and has the ability to hold up against blitzing defensive backs or smaller linebackers. He’s also a reliable receiver, both as a check-down option and as a go-to threat. Hampton runs his routes well and is typically where he’s supposed to be, when he’s supposed to be there. He’s a “hands” catcher who does a good job of presenting a target to his quarterback and framing the pass.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

• Explosiveness
• Pass protection

There are very few flaws in Hampton’s game and he’s a remarkably complete running back. However, there are just a couple areas in which the viewer is left wanting a little more.

The first is in his overall burst and explosiveness. Hampton isn’t a slouch by any means, but his speed is a bit of the “build up” variety. He doesn’t quite have the ability to explode out of his cuts or accelerate hard after receiving the hand-off. That can impact his ability to hit quickly closing holes with authority, deliver hits to defenders, or really push the pile in short-yardage situations.

Hampton also needs to get more consistently aggressive when meeting defenders in pass protection. He can be prone to letting defenders come to him, as opposed to stepping up and meeting them early to establish the pocket and give himself time and space to “lose slow” if necessary.

Game Tape

(Hampton is the North Carolina running back wearing number 28. The actual game tape starts at 0:36)

Projection

Omarion Hampton projects as a starting running back in the NFL with Pro Bowl upside.

Hampton should be an “every down” back in the pros and shouldn’t need to be taken off the field for any reason other than rest, or possibly to bring in a dedicated short-yardage back. He has the ability to play out of any blocking scheme and complement any passing scheme commonly used in the NFL.

Hampton might not have truly elite athletic traits, but the sum of his parts is impressive. He has the potential to be a high-volume runner who consistently churns out positive yardage to keep the offense on schedule. And while he might not be a truly explosive home run threat, he will turn enough good runs into big plays to produce his share of highlight reel material.

Does he fit the Giants?
Schematically yes, but realistically no.

Final Word: A first round value