Much has been made about the Chicago Bears potentially targeting running back prospect Ashton Jeanty with the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Bears have consistently shown interest in the 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up during the pre-draft process. Scouts have also told ESPN's Matt Miller that the Bears "love" Jeanty and will strongly consider him if available at No. 10.
Clearly, though, Chicago isn't putting all of its eggs in one running back basket.
According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Bears hosted former North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton — another projected first-round pick — for a top-30 visit to Halas Hall on Monday, giving them a possible contingency plan.
Hampton is a high-volume workhorse of a power back who improved in all three seasons with the Tar Heels and battered his way to a career-high 1,660 yards in 2024. At six foot and 221 pounds, he has deceptive breakaway speed and is also an effective pass-catcher, making him a sturdy, all-around back.
"Hampton's immense skill set has endeared him to GMs, and there's a growing sentiment that he could be a first-rounder," Schultz wrote Monday.
The Bears are widely expected to add to their backfield during the 2025 NFL draft despite both of their top running backs — D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson — returning from last year's roster. Hampton's power-back profile would also make him a more natural complement for Swift than Jeanty.
Whether the Bears would consider Hampton at No. 10 is unclear, though.
The Bears could fall back on a best-player-available approach in the first round if Jeanty is off the board by the time they are on the clock, which could push them toward an offensive tackle or more reinforcements for their defensive line.
Hampton might also intrigue the Bears more as a trade-back target.
General manager Ryan Poles has spoken this offseason about how there are few elite (or "blue) prospects in the 2025 class but a much wider selection of potential starters who could be available into the early parts of the third round.
If the Bears can pick up another Day 2 pick moving back in the first round and still manage to land Hampton, it will feel as though they've struck gold.
