The Minnesota Vikings running game is something that needs to be addressed in a major way. Aaron Jones and Cam Akers are set to be free agents and Ty Chandler isn't someone that head coach Kevin O'Connell has shown the propensity to trust.
If the Vikings want to fix the running game, they will need to improve the talent at the position. Luckily, the talent is incredible.
The latest installment of our SKOL Search series focuses on another potential first-round running back in North Carolina's Omarion Hampton.
Omarion Hampton
- North Carolina
- Height: 6000
- Weight: 220
- Class: Third-year Junior
- Recruiting info: 4-star recruit in 2022 class per 247 Sports
- Stats: 622 carries, 3,565 yards, 5.7 YPC, 36 touchdowns, 73 receptions, 635 yards, 4 touchdowns
- Games watched: Virginia 2024, Wake Forest 2024, NC State 2024
Strengths
- Patience: When Hampton gets the football, he displays excellent patience. Shows the willingness to wait for the lane to open before he explodes through it.
- Contact Balance: There is one thing that separates Hampton from the rest of the class: he has elite contact balance. Hampton runs through contact with ease and gang tackling is the best way to bring him down. 72 missed tackles forced in 2024.
- Pass blocking: Hampton doesn't always have the best form, but he's shown excellent effort and technique. He flashes in a major way and is violent in attacking defenders with leverage and strength.
- Three-Down Back: One thing that you need to have as a top running back is the ability to be a pass catcher. Hampton can do a little bit of everything in that area.
- Straight-Line Speed: The one thing that Hampton has that will translate is straight-line speed. Once the hole opens up, Hampton explodes through the hole and can outrun defenders.
Weaknesses
- Lateral Quickness: While Hampton is capable of a jump cut, he's not the best lateral mover. He doesn't have the lateral quickness to cut back in a wide zone scheme and immediately accelerate.
- Stiff: Hampton is a stiff player. He rounds off his routes and struggles to drop his hips to cut back against the grain.
Overview
| Trait | Grade |
|---|---|
|
Vision |
8.4/10 |
|
Cutback |
7.7/10 |
|
Long Speed |
4.5/5 |
|
Contact Balance |
9.5/10 |
|
Pass Blocking |
8.7/10 |
|
Break/Avoid Tackles |
14.3/15 |
|
Durability |
8.5/10 |
|
Receiving |
8.0/10 |
|
Quickness |
7.6/10 |
|
Ball Security |
7.9/10 |
|
Grade |
85.1 First Round Grade |
Hampton is a really fun running back. If you put him next to Lamar Jackson, he could run for 1,700 yards in a season by year two. He understands how to read blockers and attack open holes, which is perfect for a gap scheme.
Does he fit the Vikings? Not in their current scheme. They run a lot of outside zone concepts, which doesn't fit the playstyle of O'Connell's scheme. The Vikings have been using more power run game over time, and O'Connell's been willing to adapt based on who he is scheming for. His skill set could pay huge dividends.
