Damien Martinez | Miami 6’0 217 lbs. Jan 31, 2004 (21 years)
Damien Martinez was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks becoming the 8th running back and 223rd overall player in the 2025 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
*Statistics Pulled from Sports Reference
FILM
Sample Clip: https://x.com/fantasybuff_/status/1916265319443660973?s=46
ATHLETIC TESTING
4.51-second 40-yard dash and had a 1.56-second 10-yard split. He also recorded a 35-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 4-inch broad jump. Martinez’s 40-yard dash time was the 15th-fastest among the 24 running backs who participated.
Strengths
Damien Martinez is a powerful, physical running back with excellent contact balance and vision, known for his ability to gain yards after contact and his ability to run through tackles. He’s a mature runner with patience at the line of scrimmage and an explosive burst once he finds daylight. Martinez also demonstrates good short-area quickness and change of direction skills, making him versatile in a variety of schemes.
Weaknesses
Martinez is a good all-around back but he lacks any truly elite tools from an athletic perspective. His acceleration and long speed are serviceable but nothing special, and his quickness is solid but no defining trait either (see: 7.16-second 3-cone drill, 4.49-second short shuttle
DRAFT ANALYSIS
I was personally hoping for much better draft capital for Martinez. Landing spot, Seattle play style is an amazing fit. What isn’t, who’s in front of him on the depth chart. If and when, Martinez gets the chance to run in Seattle’s backfield. This man child will impress with an aggressive running style. But all in all, due to the two big players in front of him, he’s a hold, he’s a stash till an opportunity comes along. Because of this reason, it’s an average landing spot unless a few injury’s take place. I do think he’s an important handcuff for Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. Far as dynasty, this is a contract year for Walker. Martinez could be an amazing value for how late we could now get him in drafts. Shoot your shots. Martinez is that for me.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Martinez may not be that sexy RB we are rushing to select as a top-5 RB. The case could be made, far as long term, he should. I think Martinez represents long term value more than anything. A consistent thumper that coyos become a bit-to-bunch more. As I give thoughts to comps, I want to paint the picture of him to be a reliable long term play. Dependable guy for what he does. Someone we can lock into our lineups and know he will give us something, with the potential of some game changing performances. I vision long term safety of consistency, like a Frank Gore, LaGarrette Blount, type of consistency for the long haul. Take away the size, a good comp is a better pass catching LaGarrete Blount. A bruising back who can operate as a bell cow back if needed. I just feel it, Martinez will be a viable play. The kid runs hard with a different type of motor than most. As long as health doesn’t interfere, Martinez could be a long term option as a rb/flex play to your lineup. I think Martinez is much better value than many of these guys in later rounds who will be dart throws who doesn’t pan out for production we seek. I view Martinez as dependable and someone who will be around for a while. I think he is a player you won’t regret adding to your team as he will bring you value and as a spot starter at worst. When and if he is a full time starter, he’s a set it and forget it lineup lock. That is a likely possibility. Martinez represents a rb who can continue to grow with his dependability. Regardless of landing spot, the day will come where this guy will give you dependable points. Not your ordinary stash guy. I’m not drafting him as an upside guy. But he does have that a potential baked in him. He represents a work horse running back, so of course he represents that upside to be had. But it’s the consistency of the numbers long term he will produce that has me intrigued. This is truly a guy that could grow for the long-term and gain much value.
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