Who Should I Start? Omarion Hampton or Kaleb Johnson

Tuesday, July 15, 5:16 PM

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that if Los Angeles Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris (eye) misses time in training camp with an eye injury that he suffered during a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July, the possibility of rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton beating out Harris for a lead-back role becomes even more likely. Harris' injury is deemed minor, and he should be fully ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, but he could miss some practice time to begin training camp later this week. That could open the door for Hampton, who has tremendous upside and will have a chance to be an immediate difference-maker in the team's run-first offense. The 22-year-old has the explosiveness to score every time he touches the football, and he could see the majority of the first-team work early in camp. RotoBaller has Hampton ranked as the RB21 in fantasy.

Friday, July 25, 3:19 PM

PG Sports Now's Brian Batko reports that Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson was the second RB (behind Jaylen Warren) to work with the first-team offense in training camp practice on Thursday. Johnson is an ideal fit for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense, and although the Steelers have Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon and Cordarrelle Patterson (undisclosed), Johnson could have a nice little role in his first year in the NFL. Ideally, Johnson would be the No. 2 for Pittsburgh this year next to Warren. His production last year at Iowa was impressive -- 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries -- and he also has the benefit of being in a run-first offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Johnson will split touches with Warren, but he has enough big-play ability to be in play as an RB3/flex in fantasy right away.