The worst-kept secret of the 2025 NFL Draft for the Chicago Bears has been that the team will select a running back at some point.
Despite the nice things that the new Bears' coaching staff have said about D'Andre Swift, it seems clear that the Bears will target a running back during the early rounds. Bears fans are looking for any connection to Ashton Jeanty, who the Bears' front office is reportedly in love with.
Jeanty is the unquestioned best running back in this year's draft class with a growing expectation that he will be selected at No. 6 by the Las Vegas Raiders. While Jeanty is a phenomenal talent at the running back position, the Bears likely won't feel pressure to trade ahead of the Raiders and select the Boise State product.
This year's draft class is deep at the running back position and even if the Bears were to take a running back in the first round, they may be comfortable with the running back behind Jeanty. North Carolina's Omarion Hampton has a first-round grade and while selecting him at No. 10 may be early, if the Bears trade back, selecting Hampton in the middle of the first round may be an option.
It might just be an option the Bears are considering as Hampton revealed on Instagram that he was at Halas Hall on Monday for a Top 30 visit.
North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton is visiting the #Bears today.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 14, 2025
Hampton’s immense skillset has endeared him to GMs and there’s a growing sentiment that he could be a 1st-rounder. pic.twitter.com/cbZyW8Nyh0
Hampton has rushed for over 1,500 yards with the Tar Heels in each of the last two seasons, including a total of 30 rushing touchdowns. Hampton also proved to be a capable option in the passing game, totaling 373 receiving yards last season with North Carolina on 38 receptions.
Matt Miller of ESPN referred to Hampton as a "dream" for any team featuring an outside-zone running scheme. The exact scheme that Ben Johnson perfected with the Detroit Lions. Given that fact, Hampton may be the running back that Bears need to circle when it comes to first-round options for the team.