Saquon Barkley vs Omarion Hampton

“Over the last two seasons, Barkley has averaged just 35 receptions for 275 receiving yards and two touchdowns. A decline in per-touch efficiency, as he nears 30, is also working against him, as he has steadily transitioned away from being a big-play threat and into more of a volume-based option at running back.”

“This means that former Jaguars back Tank Bigsby is likely the man behind Saquon Barkley to start the season. Barkley has been relatively healthy the past several seasons, though he is coming off his worst fantasy finish since 2021. Barkley is also on the precipice of his age-29 season, the age at which most running backs begin to decline rapidly in efficiency.”

“Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles) was the top-rated player from the NFL Top 100 for the 2025 season.”

“Eagles RB Saquon Barkley recalled being annoyed by Sirianni during his time with the Giants, but his viewpoint changed after coming to Philadelphia. "When you're going against it, you can't stand it," Barkley said. "If you don't know Nick Sirianni, it's easy not to like Nick Sirianni."”

“He averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game last season, his lowest mark since 2021. Furthermore, Barkley averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs last year. By comparison, he averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and had 25 breakaway runs during his 2024 fantasy MVP season. After finishing last year as the RB14, fantasy players should avoid drafting Barkley at his $31 value, the ninth-highest among running backs.”

“The former Penn State star averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game last season, his lowest mark since 2021. Furthermore, he averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs last year. By comparison, Barkley averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and had 25 breakaway runs during his 2024 fantasy MVP season.”

“Barkley's target volume will be heavily dependent on Mannion's concerted effort to design opportunities for him. Should he neglect to do so, this will be more mediocre usage of one of the team's most explosive assets.”

“Barkley is a major beneficiary of this system, which heavily prioritizes RBs in the passing game via designed screens, wheel routes, and play-action checkdowns. In Mannion's timing-based scheme, play-action will freeze second-level defenders, leaving Barkley wide open on underneath routes to turn his 60 projected targets into high-value PPR production.”

“After finishing last year as the RB14, Barkley averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game, his lowest mark since 2021, and averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs, compared to 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and 25 breakaway runs during his fantasy MVP season in 2024. Fantasy players should avoid drafting Barkley as a mid-range RB1.”

“Saquon Barkley reached out to former Rams RB Todd Gurley to ask for his advice as he seeks to have a bounce-back season in 2026. Barkley said he felt he was able to get himself in better shape coming into the offseason with extra weeks to prepare after an earlier-than-desired end to the season.”

“Landing Saquon Barkley at pick 2.12 was ideal.”

“They also noted declines in some of Barkley's efficiency metrics over the last two seasons and questioned whether Philadelphia's offensive line could remain dominant enough to support another elite finish.”

“A healthier offensive line could help the team score touchdowns at a higher rate in the red zone, but so could better health from Omarion Hampton, who played in only nine games as a rookie.”

“Omarion Hampton and the Chargers are very much the target of offseason hype, and it's worth remembering there have been plenty of times in the past that the Chargers haven't paid off that hype.”

“Omarion Hampton and the Chargers are very much the target of offseason hype, and it's worth remembering there have been plenty of times in the past that the Chargers haven't paid off that hype. The Chargers saw Keaton Mitchell as a priority for new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, with him printing off wanted posters and putting them up around the facility.”

“Chargers RB Omarion Hampton said that the running back room is enjoying the scheme of OC Mike McDaniel, stating "I like it a lot. Really, all the running backs like it a lot. Getting in the groove of it, just figuring it out, figuring out the details of it. I feel like it's gonna be super good for us."”

“Omarion Hampton generated some of the strongest support of any running back discussed. The analysts pointed to a combination of talent, opportunity, and offensive environment, with the receiving component being particularly important and the possibility that he becomes a true three-down back.”

“McCaffrey on Omarion Hampton: "Being able to carry that speed at that size is something special. It's really special. So I'm excited to see what he does with it this year."”

“Omarion Hampton was the RB13 on a points-per-game basis.”

“If you had a tier of running backs with Jonathan Taylor and Omarion Hampton, but you can get Hampton cheaper, you'll then need to determine whether the difference moves you more toward targeting someone like Hampton or if the cost justifies taking Taylor.”

“The addition of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator was viewed as another major boost, particularly because of McDaniel's history of heavily involving running backs in the passing game. Hampton's target upside and expanded workload projection led the analysts to view him as a player worth drafting aggressively near the end of Round 1.”

“The hosts praised Hampton's rookie-year flashes despite difficult circumstances that included offensive line injuries and inconsistent quarterback health. They highlighted his three-down skill set, pass-catching ability, and efficiency metrics as signs of a major second-year breakout.”

“Fitzmaurice highlighted Hampton's upside in a run-heavy offense built around strong offensive line play. The belief is that Hampton could emerge as a true centerpiece back if the Chargers fully commit to him in Year 2.”

“Hampton created the 11th-most yards per touch and finished 11th in yards after contact per attempt while handling a bell-cow role with 17.3 touches per game. His PFF rushing grade of 84.8 was the eighth-best mark in the league, and he now teams up with Mike McDaniel, who has a history of elite running back production.”