It’s time for Los Angeles Chargers fans to start taking general manager Joe Hortiz seriously.
The former Baltimore Ravens executive made it clear before free agency kicked off that Los Angeles wouldn’t be pursuing high-profile players, but fans thought he simply didn’t want to tip his hand to the rest of the league.
As it turns out, Hortiz was telling the truth.
The Chargers have only signed two players this offseason to a contract worth more than $10 million and one was their own free agent, Khalil Mack.
Then last week, Hortiz expressed his belief in taking the best player available instead of focusing on a specific position that his team may need.
Chargers fans have been clamoring for the team to acquire a wide receiver since their season ended.
But once again, Hortiz stuck to his word and selected Omarion Hampton, a running back out of North Carolina with the 22nd pick.
The selection has gotten mixed reviews among the fanbase because the team had more pressing needs to address, but some analysts are enamored with the pick.
Controversial media personality Skip Bayless gave his take on Los Angeles taking Hampton and he didn’t hold back one bit.
Bayless compared the former Tar Heels running back to Ashton Jeanty who was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in the draft.
In typical fashion, he also warned Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid about the emergence of the Chargers.
These takes may be a bit exaggerated, but it’s high praise for a player who wasn’t on many people’s radar just a month ago.
Shortly after the season ended, the thought around the league was that Jeanty might fall to the Dallas Cowboys at pick No. 12 and Hampton might be picked in the second round.
So, the fact that we saw two running backs come off the board in the first round should be an indictment on their talent.
Hampton is an extremely quick runner who isn’t afraid to work inside with the big boys either.
Although he isn’t a receiver, he’s an explosive player who will make Justin Herbert’s life in Los Angeles a lot easier.
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