Could Omarion Hampton be similar to a great Sean Payton running back? One ESPN analyst says yes

Omarion Hampton is widely expected to be the second running back taken in the NFL Draft.

Whether the North Carolina product is available at the No. 20 pick that the Denver Broncos currently hold is a subject of debate; ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., for one, had Hampton falling off the board after 12 selections, leading him to mock Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to Denver with the 20th choice.

But when former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum evaluates Hampton, he sees a comparison that grabs attention.

“I think he’s going to see Alvin Kamara,” Tannenbaum said.

 

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When Payton talks about the ideal “joker” running back, Kamara is usually the player he cites. A third-round pick of the New Orleans Saints eight years ago, Kamara stepped into the New Orleans lineup and was an instant success, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, becoming a second-team All-Pro selection and tallying over 1,500 yards from scrimmage as the Saints returned to the playoffs after a 3-year absence.

But it was HOW Kamara produced — and continues to produce — that defines him. Eight seasons into his career, he still doesn’t have a 1,000-yard rushing season. But he’s averaged over 100 yards from scrimmage per game for his career and has never failed to accumulate at least 1,100 yards from scrimmage in a season because he’s arguably the finest pass-catching running back in the sport.

In Kamara’s first three seasons with the Saints, he caught exactly 81 passes each year.

Hampton was a dynamic pass-catching target for the Tar Heels in the last two seasons.

“I just think Hampton’s speed, size and his ability to catch — I think Sean’s going to have a tough time passing that guy up,” Tannenbaum said.

Last year, Tannenbaum was among those who projected Bo Nix to the Broncos. At this time last year, he wrote that Nix “has the accuracy and anticipation to succeed in Sean Payton’s offense.”

So far, so good.

“Home-run speed. He can catch. And you can’t play running back for Sean Payton if you can’t catch,” Tannenbaum said.

Hampton will need to improve at blocking, but “all college running backs are going to have to get better at blocking,” Tannenbaum added. “I have no doubt that he will.”

Tannenbaum mocked Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 6 overall pick. A consensus seems to be developing around Jeanty to the Raiders at that spot. But that didn’t keep Broncos running backs coach Lou Ayeni from making an appearance at BSU’s pro day Wednesday.

Denver Broncos running backs coach Lou Ayeni and Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach Eddie Faulkner chatting before the start of Pro Day at Boise State. pic.twitter.com/cOCoWOfR9o

— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) March 26, 2025

Jeanty becoming a member of the Broncos would require the draft board falling in an unexpected way — or an audacious trade up in the first round. Payton has been willing to do the latter; he’s made four trades up for first-round picks during his 18 previous drafts, including two that saw him sacrifice future Round 1 selections for the privilege.

Certainly, few — including Jeanty — expect him to be available when the Broncos select.

“I would hope I don’t fall that far,” Jeanty said at the Combine last month, “but if that happens I would have no problem playing for the Denver Broncos.”

That leaves Hampton as the more viable possibility at No. 20.

The other factor to consider is the depth of this year’s running back class. Depending on who you ask, there are anywhere from 20 to over 30 running backs who could be worthy of selection in this year’s draft. ESPN’s long-time draft analyst, Mel Kiper Jr., suggested that 31 runners had draftable grades. Some running backs likely to be selected such as Arizona’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt weren’t even invited to the Combine.

The Broncos are doing their homework on the running back class. They held formal meetings with 10 runners at the NFL Scouting Combine and have used some of their 30 in-person visits on running backs this month.

But Tannenbaum believes that despite the quality of the class, Hampton will be too good for Payton to resist.