The Raiders are very excited and hopeful that Zamir White can be the team’s featured back this season. His four-game trial went well at the end of the 2023 season and the belief is that he could prove to be an upgrade over Josh Jacobs.
However, if it doesn’t go well, the 2025 NFL Draft is loaded with running back talent and the Raiders could find their next franchise runner early next year.
In a recent article by Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus, he wrote about North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton and why he could be a perfect fit for the Raiders in Round 2. Here is a snippet of his thoughts on the Tarheel star:
2024 will be a big prove-it year for Zamir White. If he can show good production and efficiency this season in a starting role, perhaps the Raiders won’t look at running back much in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In the opposite case, Omarion Hampton should be on their radar.
At 6-foot and 220 pounds, Hampton, who earned an elite 90.6 PFF rushing grade in 2023, has the build of a starting NFL back. He possesses the explosiveness and long speed for the role, too. He has truly elite leg drive for yards after contact but needs to be a bit more patient with his run lanes before lowering the shoulder.
Quarterback is the most pressing need for the Raiders in 2025, but don’t be surprised if they tip their toe in the running back market. Even if White has a big season in 2024, he’ll have just one year left on his contract and it’s clear that Tom Telesco doesn’t want to pay big money to the running back position.
Hampton is one of several elite running back prospects set to enter the draft in 2025. Keep him on your radar this season on Saturdays.
