2. Rookie RBs in primetime
There were 25 running backs taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, but only two of them went in Round 1.
That pair of players — Omarion Hampton and Ashton Jeanty — will meet Monday night for the first time in their young careers.
Does Hampton know Jeanty well?
“Yeah. That’s one of my guys,” Hampton said. “We met at the draft and talked a little bit there. I’m excited to see him. He is a great back.”
“I’ve watched a little bit, just the way he runs. And I like his mindset, he runs with a lot of power,” Hampton added.
Jeanty was the No. 6 overall pick by the Raiders while the Bolts took Hampton with the 22nd pick.
Both players didn’t quite have eye-popping stats in their NFL debuts — Hampton had 48 yards on 15 carries while Jeanty had 38 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts.
But Hampton said he was simply thrilled to get a win in his NFL debut.
“It felt amazing just to be out there with the guys and just finally get to play,” Hampton said. “It felt amazing and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
“Just being out there learning how the game works, learning the speed of the game, just the way how the players warm up and everything,” Hampton added.
Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman said: “Omarion’s first time out there, I thought he did a really good job.”
And the Chargers defense knows the test that awaits with Jeanty.
“A lot of respect for him,” James said. “He’s earned the right to be a Top 10 pick. I feel like when you go that high, they’re not drafting you to not come in and play. He’s earned every right and excited to play him. He’s a great young back.”
“Lower guy, smaller guy and lower to the ground so he’s got good contact balance,” James added. “You’ve got to be able to run your feet on guys like that cause they can get up under you.”
All eyes will be on the rookie running backs on Monday night, even if Hampton isn’t looking at it as a battle between the two.
“No, no,” Hampton said with a smile. “I’m just focused on what I have to do.”
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