The story of the Chargers' 2025 running back room was, sadly, injuries. Current free agent Najee Harris played just three games with the team before suffering an Achilles tear. Rookie Omarion Hampton showed flashes at points, but he battled ankle injuries that forced him to miss roughly two months of the season.
The Chargers' leading rusher for the season ended up being former sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal. Even with Vidal stepping up admirably, one thing was consistently clear throughout the season. Los Angeles never had the requisite horses in the stable to be able to survive the season on a week to week basis.
With hopefully better health luck in 2026, the current running back room has a chance to be the deepest and strongest position on the team. Hampton and Vidal return while the Chargers acquired speedster Keaton Mitchell in free agency.
How does the Chargers fairly deep running back room grade out in 2026?
RB1: Omarion Hampton
The expectation for Hampton should be picking up right where he left off in terms of the flashes from his rookie season. The week before Hampton got injured for the first time against the Commanders, he put up 12 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown in addition to five receptions vs. the Giants. The breakout was here until it wasn't.
But it's also worth noting that Hampton looked good after he came back from injury as well. Despite the Chargers 31st ranked run block win rate in 2026, he had 44 carries for 202 yards (4.6 yards per attempt) before he suffered an injury on his other ankle vs. Houston.
He was great before the first injury and still very good before his second ankle injury. Of course, health will be what makes one hedge against a Hampton breakout until he plays a 14-17 game season. But if he stays healthy, the production in OC Mike McDaniel's offense looks like it will be great. The film improved every week he played as well.
Of 49 running backs that had 100+ carries last season, Hampton was 10th in yards after contact per attempt (3.34). Amongst those same 49 running backs, Hampton was 7th in breakaway run percentage on designed runs (35.5%). The UNC product forced 32 missed tackles on just 125 rushing attempts.
The pass protection needs to be improved and he needs to ultimately stay healthy. But both the film and the numbers suggest that Hampton can play the position at a top 10 level in year two.
Grade: B+
RB2: Keaton Mitchell
The Chargers signed Keaton Mitchell to a two year, $9.25 million deal this season after the Ravens didn't offer him an RFA tender. McDaniel made it known that he was fan of Mitchell in the building by creating a "wanted" poster in free agency for him. His speed and explosiveness fits the outside zone nature of this offense.
Mitchell averaged 5.8 yards per attempt in Baltimore last season with a 46.0% breakaway run percentage. Amongst running backs with at least 50 carries, that breakaway percentage was second in the league last year. Specifically, it was second to Miami's De'Von Achane (46.1%). That's not coincidental when looking at who the OC is. The name of the game is to create explosive carries in outside zone looks and that's what McDaniel is relying on Mitchell to do.
There's a nice stylistic contrast between the power and speed of Hampton mixed with acceleration and burst from Mitchell. While Hampton wears down the defense, Mitchell will be there to crack a big play when they're gassed.
Mitchell can also provide value as an effective kick returner as he did in Baltimore last season.
The two knocks on Mitchell are ultimately injuries and volume. He's never had more than 11+ carries in an NFL game. How McDaniel get the best out of him in bursts while preserving his body is a key question.
Pass protection is another knock against Mitchell. But with how great Vidal is as a pass protector in addition to the development Hampton should take there, I'm not too concerned.
Grade: B
RB3: Kimani Vidal
One of the reasons I'm so confident in the Chargers' running back room is having Kimani Vidal as their third back. Entering the season, it's the best depth the Chargers have had for a running back room in years. There's teams Vidal could be an RB2 on realistically with what he was able to show last season.
In 2025, Vidal had the most 100+ yard rushing games in a season by a Chargers RB since Melvin Gordon. He also had five 100+ scrimmage yard games. While he may not provide the high ceiling of a true RB1, he's proven he can step up if Hampton is injured.
On film, Vidal markedly improved as a pass protector and blocker compared to his rookie season. He's still going to have a role even if he has fewer touches than Mitchell when the stable of backs is healthy. And while this is just a guess-but Vidal seems like he'd be the teams' volume back still in the event Hampton had to miss time.
Grade: B
Practice squad candidates: Jaret Patterson, Amar Johnson, Gregory Desrosiers
Jaret Patterson put up solid tape against the Titans when he was forced into action last year. He's a clear leader for one of the practice squad spots along with Amar Johnson. The Chargers signed Memphis RB Gregory Desrosiers in 2026 UDFA for competition.
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