Steelers Now
NFL.com draft analyst Bucky Brooks has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton at 21st overall in his latest mock draft. Boise State running back Ashton Jeffrey, who’s considered the top back in this year’s class, went to the Denver Broncos at No. 20 in Brooks’ mock draft.
“The Steelers need an elite running back to impose their will on opponents in the way Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith envision. Hampton is an A+ talent with the size (6-foot, 220 pounds), athleticism and raw power to thrive as a workhorse in a ground-and-pound offense,” Brooks wrote.
Bucky Brooks’ NFL Mock Draft 2.0 pic.twitter.com/rPIYpH8s29
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) February 26, 2025
With the Steelers rejecting Najee Harris’ fifth-year option last May, it seems like a forgone conclusion that the Alabama product will land with a new team this offseason. Steelers general manager Omar Khan is leaving the door open for Harris, however.
But on the surface, Hampton at 21st overall makes a ton of sense for the Steelers. In his latest mock draft, Todd McShay also has the Steelers selecting Hampton with their first-round pick.
“With Najee Harris slated to be an unrestricted free agent and Jaylen Warren headed toward restricted free agency, the Steelers don’t have an obvious in-house candidate to lead their running back room in 2025,” McShay writes. “[Omarion] Hampton’s a downhill runner who brings the yards-after-contact skills that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has historically coveted. He’d be an immediate talent upgrade at the position from a skill set and contract perspective, functioning as a cheaper, higher-upside version of Harris.”
Hampton is viewed by most as the second best running back prospect in this year’s draft, behind Jeanty, who is not only viewed as the top back in the class but one of the best overall players.
The 21-year-old has displayed exactly why that should be the case while rushing for 3,164 yards and 30 touchdowns the past two years at North Carolina. Hampton also recorded 67 catches for 595 yards and three touchdowns during the span. Hampton was named an All-American in 2023 and 2024.
Omarion Hampton is yet another reason why you don’t need to draft a RB inside the damn Top-15 (Yes Even Ashton Jeanty)
6’1” 220+ with hands and wheels. Hampton is a certified stud. David Johnson 2.0 in the making. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/NzXKvFMvgX
— Ray G (@RayGQue) December 1, 2024
