As Ashton Jeanty might know, the Chicago Bears are hoping 2024 is the trailer and 2025 is the movie. Heading into the 2024 season, some predicted the Bears could reach the Super Bowl after landing Caleb Williams. Now, with Ben Johnson on board, Chicago is trying to finish building a roster that can live up to that hype.
Chicago Bears Mocked to Draft Non-Ashton Jeanty RB in Round 1
To help with that, one PFSN mock draft by Jacob Infante projected UNC running back Omarion Hampton to land with the Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“The Chicago Bears aggressively addressed their offensive line early in the offseason, and they added some talent up front for their defensive line. In this NFL Mock Draft, they give new head coach Ben Johnson a potential superstar running back like he had in Detroit,” he wrote.
“Omarion Hampton is a speedy, physical back who excels at finding open lanes between the tackles. He has bell-cow potential and could prove to be a consistent 1,000-yard runner at the next level, which would be a welcome addition to the Bears’ offense,” he added.
Hampton racked up 3,164 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns between the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He led the ACC in rushing yards both years and also topped the conference in rushing touchdowns in 2023. In total, he scored 40 touchdowns in his college career.
Exploring Omarion Hampton’s Fit With Bears
The Bears have poured a lot into their offense in recent years. Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze are just a few of the big pieces they’ve added.
Heading into the draft, the Bears rank 30th in offense by PFSN’s metrics. That means the work’s not done. Right now, D’Andre Swift is expected to return as the lead back for a second straight year.
Swift averaged just 3.8 yards per carry and didn’t reach 1,000 total yards. If Hampton joins the Bears, it could spark a legitimate competition for the starting job.
As the younger player, Hampton would likely be favored to win the spot, with Swift sliding into a backup role. Unlike most positions, running backs frequently have their best seasons on their rookie contracts. Then, over time, the wear and tear usually slow them down — though they can still be productive.
That’s even more reason for the Bears to get Hampton lined up behind Caleb Williams in Year 1 as Johnson hopes to weaponize his offense.