HamptonBreakout
There's no question the Chargers have one of the NFL's most innovative offensive minds in their building in Mike McDaniel.
The new offensive coordinator's resumé runs long, including a number of top finishes over the years as playcaller.
Now calling an offense with a quarterback like Justin Herbert could only spell good things for the Chargers offense and the players around them.
"The whole offense is going to benefit because of it," NFL Network's Brian Baldinger said.
But which skill players in particular could flourish in this new system?
Chargers.com posed the question to a number of NFL experts and analysts at Radio Row in the lead up to Super Bowl LX.
A number of different Chargers skill players were named, but there was an overwhelming consensus on which player is poised for a breakout season in McDaniel's offense.
"Omarion Hampton," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler told Chargers.com.
"Omarion Hampton, easy," The Athletic's Dave Helman continued.
"Hampton is going to go absolutely hog-wild," ESPN's Ben Solak added.
The 2025 Chargers first-round pick flashed during his rookie season, rushing for 545 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 192 receiving yards and a touchdown in nine games.
He was a workhorse back for a room that battled some attrition when he was on the field, as he missed some time with an ankle injury in the middle of the season.
Hampton displayed the same physicality and explosiveness he did in college, however, which is one of the things Solak was greatly impressed with.
"I thought he showed a really nice job catching the football, he's an unbelievable tackle breaker, in space especially, when they started getting him on these screens and out there," Solak said about Hampton. "His ability to let contact bounce off of him is really impressive."
Add in McDaniel's track record when it comes to his run games and what he's able to do on the ground, Hampton was an easy choice for Fowler as well.
"He had that ankle issue during the year and was kind of beat up, but I would like to see what he could do with a healthy year," Fowler said. "I like that group for next year with McDaniel, who did a lot with De'Von Achane and the backs in Miami. I think you'll see some of the same."
Take a look back at the best photos of the Chargers 2025 draft class in their inaugural NFL campaign.
The production McDaniel has gotten from his run game as a playcaller has been among the best in the league.
The Dolphins racked up over 8,000 rushing yards over his four seasons calling the offense, including ranking fifth in the NFL with 4.6 yards per carry over that stretch.
Not to mention his time with the 49ers before then, where he was their Offensive Coordinator in 2021 after spending the previous three seasons before that as the team's Run Game Coordinator.
Over those four years, the 49ers racked up the sixth-most rushing yards (8,538), were tied for seventh with 237 total explosive rushes of 10-plus yards and had the ninth-most rushing touchdowns (71).
McDaniel has found ways to get his running backs the ball and open up space, and Hampton can take advantage of it.
"The stuff that Mike McDaniel does, the blocking schemes he has, different ways he can get his best players the football," Helman said. "Omarion Hampton had a nice rookie season that was hampered by injuries, we know how talented he is.
"If Alt and Rashawn Slater are healthy, the different ways he could get him in the ball in space is really exciting," Helman added. "Assuming great health for everybody, I have high expectations for Omarion Hampton."
Solak even had a figure in mind when thinking about what the running back can achieve in 2026.
"Hampton is going to have 1,300, 1,400 yards from scrimmage if he stays healthy and deservedly so," Solak said. "He's a great talent, this is a great offense for him."
The broader message from NFL experts was that under McDaniel, they expect every skill position player to thrive.
That includes more opportunities for players like wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who has totaled over 1,900 receiving yards in his career so far and continued to develop his game in Year 2.
"McConkey has already been good but I think he's going to have opportunities to make plays down the field," The Ringer's Sheil Kapadia said.
Sliding to a W - The Chargers kicked off the regular season in São Paulo, Brazil and as most games against the Chiefs go, this one came down to the wire. On a crucial third down, Justin Herbert ran down the sideline, got the first down and punctuated it with a slide home to ice the game with the extra flair. It felt like he was looking right down the barrel of the lens as he secured the win.