The Los Angeles Chargers made a splash during April’s NFL Draft, using their first two picks on a running back and wide receiver, respectively. They also raised eyebrows when they signed former Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Najee Harris.
They paired Harris with first-round pick Omarion Hampton out of the University of North Carolina to create a backfield battle.
The fantasy football community was no doubt frustrated by the Steelers’ backfield usage in the last two years. During those seasons, Harris would take a backseat to backup Jaylen Warren, despite leading in all rushing categories between the duo except yards per carry (4.3 to 4.0). But then he would randomly be the lead back after solid outings from Warren.
In some sense, Harris helped fantasy managers by not playing for Pittsburgh after his rookie contract and packing his bags for Los Angeles.
However, he did not help fantasy managers by taking a firework to the eye socket during July 4th celebrations.
SO, IS NAJEE OKAY?
Harris’ agent, Doug Hendrickson, released a statement following the news of his player’s incident.
“Najee Harris was present at a 4th of July event where a fireworks mishap resulted in injuries to several attendees. Najee sustained a superficial eye injury during the incident, but is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season,” Hendrickson said July 11.
Calling it a superficial eye injury, Harris damaged the outer layers of the eye, most commonly involving the cornea, or the clear front part of the eye. If I’m the Chargers—or fantasy managers—that doesn’t make me excited to play someone whose job it is to use his eyes to spot and run in the open lanes.
OMARION HAMPTON FANTASY OUTLOOK: DAY 1 STARTER?
Reports first out of Chargers’ training camp said Hampton is taking many valuable first-team repetitions.
“He’s been attacking it, hitting it hard,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Hampton to reporters. “Still got some days before we’re in pads, but I think he’s going to be even better in pads…He’s well trained and ready to roll.”
The first-team All-ACC rusher was a finalist for the nation’s top running back award thanks to the success he has using a combination of his size and strength—something he’ll bring to the professional level.
NFL.com described Hampton as a “downhill truck whose brake lines have been cut” in his draft profile.
Along with being a barreling back, Hampton has proved he can catch swing passes and work screens.
Los Angeles saw many seasons of Austin Ekeler playing the same style. Now, with Harbaugh under the helm, he has brought his rushing favoritism with him. The playing style of Hampton fits Harbaugh’s scheme arguably better than Harris’.
In Hampton’s tape, you can tell time and time again he battles on his carries and works to gain extra yards, whether making contact or not.
Hampton offers enough positives that should outweigh what Harris offers, even when healthy. While Harris has more experience and success in identifying running lanes, that all may have gone up in smoke with his eye injury.
The lead running back in a Jim Harbaugh–Greg Roman offense has serious fantasy football upside, and history backs it up. Roman’s last three offenses as a play-caller ranked 1st, 1st, and 3rd in total rush attempts, so whoever wins this backfield battle could be a volume-driven fantasy monster. This is one of the most important position battles to watch heading into the season.
The Wolf is much higher on Hampton than the consensus, ranking him right outside of RB1 territory at RB13 (+6 vs ECR).
