In the recent NFL draft, the only running backs taken in the first round joined a rivalry that dates to 1960 and the American Football Conference.
Chargers and Raiders.
So who will have the better rookie season – Ashton Jeanty, the former Boise State star drafted sixth overall by the Raiders, or Omarion Hampton, the North Carolina alum who went 22nd to the Chargers?
Look for Jeanty to break more tackles. Even as a rookie, he’ll show more power, agility and creativity than most NFL running backs. A dynamo in traffic, he’ll give Raiders blockers more margin for error.
Hampton has better breakaway speed and taps into it remarkably fast for someone who’s 5-foot-11 3/4 and 221 pounds. He’s a decisive, north-south runner.
There’s another factor to consider, and it’s a big one: each offense’s blocking and quarterbacking.
The Chargers rate a solid edge there, thanks to their advantages at both tackle spots, right guard and quarterback. Call it a draw between each team’s top pass-catchers, the centers and left guards and coordinator, although the Raiders will have to learn a new system.
Forecast: both rookies will have good rookie seasons, but the combination of L.A.’s more talented offense and his own tools will lead to the explosive Hampton, 22, matching or exceeding Jeanty, 21, in both yards per carry and rushes of 20 yards or more.
Expect Jeanty to carry a heavier load.
In pass blocking and receiving, each rookie will have growing pains, but both should be adequate.
Though the Raiders may have the more improved offense, thanks to their trade for quarterback Geno Smith, the gap between the two offenses last year was large and won’t narrow greatly this year. The ’24 Raiders finished 29th in scoring, averaging 18.2 points per game. The Chargers landed 11th at 23.6 points per game. Also, the Chargers’ defense finished first in fewest points allowed. That took pressure off their offense.
This looks like another case of one draftee earning himself a much bigger payday by enticing one of the high-slot teams to draft him, while another draftee reaps a football windfall by joining a good club.
Given that Jeanty’s four-year contract ($35.9 million) guarantees him twice the money of Hampton’s deal ($17.8 million), the Raiders will want to get their money’s worth. That could be both a pro and a con. Will the Raiders be able to resist over-exposing Jeanty, an ultra-powerful, 5-81/2, 211-pounder, before they can build a Super Bowl contender?
#### Already done
It’s not surprising that good play strength is a trait of several players the Chargers drafted last month, given the Ravens background of Joe Hortiz, the team’s second-year general manager.
Expect Hortiz’s top three picks, who include receiver Tre Harris and defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell, to show good play strength, even as rookies. Also, Hortiz’s sixth-round selection, Pitt left tackle Branson Taylor, looked NFL-strong when he engaged defenders. Can he adapt to the faster pace at guard?
Hampton’s play strength looks to be good but not great. His upright style argues against him becoming a devastating collision-winner. His rush style brings to mind Latavius Murray, who was two-plus inches taller and made a Pro Bowl in a 10-year career. Hampton, assisted by fellow newcomer, Mekhi Becton, the massive and athletic right guard, portends this bleak scenario for opposing safeties particularly in the second half of games: Hampton zipping through a crease and attacking downfield – a 221-pounder with 4.46 speed. Buena suerte.
#### San Diego days
Hampton should retain his NFL zip longer than Natrone Means, another North Carolina alum drafted highly by Team Spanos.
Means, a light-footed, 5-10, 245-pounder, went for 1,350 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in a big second NFL season with the only San Diego club to reach a Super Bowl.
But the collisions were brutal, eroding Means’ game in short time. A second-round draftee of Hall of Famer executive Bobby Beathard in 1993, Means never again reached 900 yards or 10 TDs after that 1994 season.
Hampton has the speed to avoid taking as many direct shots as Means did, and offenses today are less reliant on slamming a big back into the line to the extent the ‘94 Chargers did.
Like most NFl backs, Hampton will take more direct hits than shifty LaDainian Tomlinson, a 221-pound Hall of Fame back drafted fifth overall by John Butler in 2001. Hampton is more comfortable out of shotgun sets than running back Melvin Gordon was as the 15th pick overall of Tom Telesco and John Spanos in 2015. Also, Hampton gets up to speed faster than Gordon. Hampton will try to avoid the fumble issues that plagued rookies Gordon and Ryan Mathews, taken 12th by A.J. Smith in 2010.
With Oregon and Houston, Caldwell (6-21/2, 332) held the point and moved better than it appears he should. Over the years, the Ravens have had success with many similar physiques and athletic profiles. Caldwell may be able to help veterans help offset the loss of Poona Ford, who had a very good 2024 season before leaving in free agency.