2025 NFL Draft: Omarion Hampton given specific comparison to Saquon Barkley

Former North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton is expected to be one of the first two running backs taken off the board later this month at the 2025 NFL Draft. During Wednesday’s SportsCenter special on Field Yates’ 4.0 2025 NFL Mock Draft, he projected Hampton to be selected No. 20 overall by the Denver Broncos.

During the show, ESPN SportsCenter host Kevin Negandhi noted that in North Carolina football history, there have only been three seasons where a running back has surpassed the 1,500-yard rushing mark on the season. Hampton has two of them. Meanwhile on-screen, Hampton’s highlights were playing which prompted Negandhi to make an interesting comparison to Philadelphia Eagles tailback Saquon Barkley.

“Just take a look at the hamstrings in the quads. My goodness, it looks like you’re watching Saquon [Barkley], a young one,” Negandhi said as the segment cut to break.

In the past, Barkley has gone viral on social media a time or two because of his, for lack of a better term, ridiculously jacked quads during his training and workout sessions. Physical traits aside, the comparison to the NFL superstar will likely gain Negandhi some polarizing responses but is a testament to the work Hampton has put in during his college career.

If Hampton is selected by the Denver Broncos No. 20 overall, he also has Mel Kiper Jr.’s vote of confidence. After all, it’s a position that Denver is in the market as steady production at the position has been lacking in recent years.

“This is a plug-and-play running back who could be one of the Rookie of the Year candidates,” Kiper Jr. said. “He can run, he can catch any can block that last line of defense for Bo Nix. I think Omarion Hampton can handle that responsibility.”

If not Denver, Kiper Jr. believes the Dallas Cowboys could be in the mix for Hampton’s services if they don’t land Ashton Jeanty at No. 12. Yates has the former Boise State star going No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders in his new mock draft, and has the Cowboys taking Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan with their first-rounder.

It’s not every season that two tailbacks are considered first-round talent, but given Hampton’s production in college, as well as his ability to contribute in the passing game — NFL teams have taken notice. It helps that the 220-pound RB ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine last month as well.