If you’re in North Carolina, there’s no way you aren’t vibing with the name Omarion Hampton. The standout running back has showcased a perfect blend of productivity and consistency. Despite a few personnel changes, he maintains excellent command over average per carry and a solid touchdown ratio during his time at Cleveland High School in Clayton. Now, it’s time to take it to the next level with the NFL. And the kid can’t wait to sail his boat as smoothly as his lofty stats claim. The Broncos have been breathing down his neck for a while, and it seems Hampton isn’t mad about it.
He had an outstanding trailer of what he can offer during his Pro Day in Chapel Hill last month. Look at his insane speed! 4.46 in the 40-yard dash at 221 pounds! The epic blend of size, aggression, and tremendous body control allowed him to make a flash in front of the scouts. Being a first-team All-American in 2023 and 2024 with 1,500 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, Hampton is embracing Ashton Jeanty’s exclusive status in the league. The Boise State RB, the Heisman finalist, is certainly the best in his class, but Hampton’s making a solid case for why he should be instead.
He met the coaches on the combine and pro day and picked up hints big time. Digging into that behind-the-curtains info, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson asked which coaches he thinks are ready to take a dime on him. “You get a feel for who likes you, and you kind of get a feel about who doesn’t, based on the type of questions they ask you, based on how in-depth they get with the personal questions outside of the game of football. If you had to take a guess, who do you think is leaning towards drafting on draft day?”
The North Carolina product seems to be less bothered by his impression of the coaches. Rather, he guarantees what he brings to the table. “I mean, whoever picked me, I’ll be happy with. But I mean, it’s a lot of teams that need a running back.” the stupendous RB continued, “So I mean, whoever picks me is going to get the best of me, really. So I feel like I kind of don’t look at all the little draft mock drafts and stuff like that.”
Shannon Sharpe, the other legend on the Nightcap podcast panels, let go of the passive hints and asked him directly for his takes on the Denver Broncos. “A lot of the mock drafts, the latest mock draft, have you going to the Broncos now if you need to hook up,” Sharpe asked. “I know some all right, I wouldn’t be mad at it,” the RB replied after a little pause. Of course, there is your cheeky Uncle Shay humor. By “I know some,” Shannon Sharpe meant himself, a Denver Broncos legend who won a Super Bowl with the franchise.
Denver desperately needs more weapons in their RB room after Javonte Williams moved on with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. If Tennessee can trade pick No. 35 to the Denver Broncos to select Cam Ward, Denver will easily be in a position to select North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton. A feasible trade projection that sees the North Carolina running back straight to the Broncos’ locker room.
However, the Broncos are having the biggest bump in their road this offseason that can wreak havoc on their spring momentum.
All three of the Denver Broncos’ most touted free agent signings this spring are dealing with a big red flag. They have joined the practice but are still healing from their lingering injuries.
Sean Payton seems busy dealing with a potential offseason drawback
New safety Talanoa Hufanga had to be on the shelf for 17 games over the last two seasons with ACL and wrist injuries. He will join and set the tempo up with linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who also was absent from 14 games in 2021 (groin injury) and 15 games in 2024 (Achilles injury). On the offensive side of the ball, new tight end Evan Engram missed a total of eight games last season with grave hamstring and labrum injuries. They are all medically cleared to take the field this spring.
However, the limited physicality factor might affect their performance in the worst possible case. However, head coach Sean Peyton believes the success lies in a strategic evolution and in a proper, smart distribution of workload between the guys. He believes his team is an expert in that area, so it’s not a matter to freak out.
“We do extensive physicals on everyone we bring in,” Peyton said. “They’re no different. They all passed their physicals, so they’ll be 100 percent as we get into the offseason program. We have a great medical team, and we rely on them. We feel good.” That’s pretty relaxing. However, before the regular season kicks in, the biggest portal picks with ‘Hampton’ jump to complement Audric Estime will really mean a banger for them, if at all.
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