When looking at the Commanders’ needs, this doesn’t fit the bill. Yes, the running back position is not NFL elite, with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler leading the way. But it doesn’t seem like the Commanders should burn their first pick on the position.
Hampton grades out at a solid 88.2 for the NFL Draft. So he’s certainly not a slouch.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder rushed for 1,660 yards and scored 15 touchdowns during his final year at North Carolina. He also caught 38 passes for 373 receiving yards and added two scores. There’s a lot of hype around Hampton, and some consider him in the same class as the higher-rated Ashton Jeanty of Boise State.
Omarion Hampton put up good numbers in 2024
Hampton racked up 1,222 yards after contact, working behind a so-so offensive line with the Tar Heels. He has been compared to Colts star Jonathan Taylor and is projected as an immediate starter. The NFL scouting community is excited about his potential as a bell-cow back, according to nfl.com.
“Omarion Hampton has flown under the radar for most of the season,” Bucky Brooks wrote. “A power runner with the balance, body control, and vision to slither between cracks on downhill runs, the North Carolina product is built to play in an old-school scheme that features dirty runs between the tackles.”
However, he doesn’t have top-end speed. His wiggle and elusiveness come into question. Also, he hasn’t rated highly in pass protection, which should be a prerequisite for any back trying to protect Daniels. He’s a lower-ceiling player and not worthy of a first-round pick by the Commanders.
Under this mock draft, the Commanders would be better off going with Oregon junior offensive tackle Josh Conerly
“Josh Conerly Jr. has surged up the charts as evaluators are increasingly smitten with his size and athleticism,” Brooks wrote. “The Oregon standout is a work in progress, but his upside and potential could make him a Pro Bowl-caliber player at the next level.”
The Commanders must fix their offensive line, and Conerly is a high-potential player they should seek to protect Daniels’ blind side. This is the type of risk the Commanders must take to solidify things in front of Daniels for the 2025 season.
