Did Chargers get it right with Omarion Hampton over Matthew Golden?

Did the Chargers make the right pick?

Randy Gurzi | Apr 24, 2025

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Green Bay Packers president Mark Murphy with Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In this story:

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers used their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton. He's a 221-pound bruiser of a back, who also has breakaway speed and above average skill as a pass-catcher.

He's easily a first-round talent and will fit in Jim Harbaugh's offense. Still, it was a somewhat controversial pick.

While Hampton could be an elite back, the Chargers already had a starting-caliber back in Najee Harris. What they don't have is a deep wide receiver corps.

That's why Matthew Golden has been a popular name, and many expected him to be the pick at No. 22. That wasn't the case as L.A. left him on the board, and Golden was taken by the Green Bay Packers, who had the very next pick.

Did the Chargers get the pick right?

North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton runs for a touchdown in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

These two players will forever be compared to one another, but looking at what they bring to the team won't tell us if the Chargers got it right. The truth is, both players are likely to succeed, especially considering the franchises they landed with.

Whether or not L.A. got it right will come down to what they do with the rest of the draft. If they don't land a wideout capable of starting across from McConkey, they will be heavily criticized for passing on Golden.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, this class was far more loaded at running back than receiver, so the odds aren't in their favor.

— Enjoy free coverage of the Chargers from Los Angeles Chargers on SI —