Miami RB Damien Martinez is a patient and physical runner who could be an option for the Broncos in the draft

Martinez is a patient and physical runner who could be an option for the Broncos in the mid-rounds of the draft.

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft is Miami running back Damien Martinez. He is a 6’0”, 217-pound running back who is viewed as one of the more physical backs in the entire draft. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Martinez graded as his 16th-best back in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Martinez played his first two years of college at Oregon State before transferring to Miami this past year. During his three-year career at both schools, he played in 38 games, which included 27 starts, and totaled 514 carries for 3,196 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry and 26 touchdowns while also catching 32 receptions for 391 yards. This past year for Miami, he appeared in 13 games and started 10 games and totaled 159 carries for 1,002 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry and 10 rushing touchdowns while catching 17 balls for 204 yards.

Player Profile

Damien Martinez | Running Back | Miami

Height: 6’0
Weight: 217 pounds
Hands: 9 3⁄4 inches
Arm Length: 30 1⁄2 inches
Wingspan: 75 1⁄2 inches
Age: 22 years old
40-Yard Dash: 4.51 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.58 seconds
Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Broad Jump: 10’4”
Short Shuttle: 4.49 seconds
3-Cone Drill: 7.16 seconds

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

Has good size and build
Runs angry and is a very physical back
Incredible contact balance and keeps going through contact
Will run through arm tackles and weak tackle attempts
A very patient runner who waits for the running lanes to open before exploding through
Has quick feet for his size and uses them to make cuts
Thrived in multiple blocking schemes (gap and zone)
Has good ball security
Sufficient checkdown target in the passing game
Has the size, strength, and mentality to be a pass blocker
Averaged 6+ yards per carry every year in college

Weaknesses

Not an overly dynamic runner and lacks wiggle and long speed
Plays a little tall and needs to consistently lower his pad level
Not a dynamic pass catcher
His burst is adequate at best
Doesn’t give you much on third down

Damien Martinez’s RAS

What other analysts are saying about Miami running back Damien Martinez

The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on RB Damien Martinez

A one-year starter at Miami, Martinez became the lead back in offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s RPO-based version of the Air Raid with gap/duo principles. He led Oregon State in rushing his first two seasons before transferring to Miami in 2024. With the Hurricanes, he again surpassed 1,000 rushing yards and led the team in rushing while averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

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