The Las Vegas Raiders executed a stellar 2025 NFL Draft, setting the stage for a season that could surprise NFL fans. With Tom Brady as a minority investor, and possibly guiding the franchise’s decisions, they selected Ashton Jeanty to bolster their struggling ground game.
However, a new projection is likely to ruffle feathers, and it involves their fierce rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers.
Omarion Hampton Outshining Ashton Jeanty?
The rivalry between the two teams now shifts to their rookie running backs. While the Raiders used their pick to draft Boise State’s phenom Ashton Jeanty, the Chargers selected North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton at pick 22.
Jeanty led the FBS in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage, while also scoring 29 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Hampton shone in the ACC over three seasons, amassing 3,565 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns.
While Jeanty is the more recognized name, ESPN’s Mike Clay predicts that the former North Carolina star will outscore him in touchdowns, a surprising claim for many.
“The aforementioned past four backs selected in the top seven (Barkley, Richardson, Elliott, and Fournette) all produced at least 10 touchdowns as a rookie,” Clay wrote. “So Jeanty reaching double-digit TDs would be on par with historical production-but I don’t expect him to reach that mark. In fact, I have Hampton ahead of Jeanty in total touchdowns because the Chargers‘ offense will likely outscore the Raiders‘ unit over the course of the season. Los Angeles will likely score more rushing touchdowns, too.”
If Omarion Hampton achieves 10 rushing touchdowns, it would signal that the Chargers are effectively moving the ball and scoring-a promising sign for a team competing in a highly competitive division alongside the Raiders.
We’ll have to wait and see if Hampton can surpass Jeanty‘s numbers, especially since Jeanty joins a Raiders team that ranked as the NFL’s worst rushing offense last season.
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