Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus named Miami running back Damien Martinez as his best early round back, late round pick in the 2025 NFL.

Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus Names Miami Running Back Damien Martinez as His Best Early-Round Back, Late-Round Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, there is always a great deal of excitement surrounding the prospects who will be selected in the early rounds, and the players who have the potential to surprise teams and rise through the ranks. Among the many talented running backs eligible for selection, Damien Martinez, the standout running back for the Miami Hurricanes, has garnered attention for his impressive skills, potential, and overall draft stock. Recognized as one of the most well-rounded running backs in the nation, Martinez is expected to be a major player in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jordan Plocher, a prominent analyst for Pro Football Focus (PFF), has recently named Damien Martinez his best early-round back and late-round pick in his 2025 draft preview. This accolade is a reflection of Martinez’s extraordinary potential to contribute at the next level, as well as his ability to provide significant value in the draft, whether he is selected in the early rounds or later on. The fact that he is recognized for his skills and versatility speaks volumes about his ability to impact both the professional and collegiate game.

In this article, we will dive into what makes Damien Martinez such a highly regarded prospect, why Plocher believes he has the potential to be both an early-round pick and a late-round steal, and how his journey at the University of Miami has shaped him into a future NFL star.

Damien Martinez’s Rise at Miami

Damien Martinez’s career at the University of Miami has been nothing short of exceptional. After initially joining the Hurricanes as a highly touted recruit from Miami Southridge High School, Martinez quickly established himself as a key part of the team’s offense. His journey to becoming one of the most coveted running back prospects in the nation is a testament to his hard work, discipline, and natural talent.

From the moment Martinez arrived at Miami, it was clear that he was a special player. With his strong build, quick feet, and excellent vision on the field, he quickly earned playing time and solidified his role in the running back rotation. Over his first few seasons at Miami, Martinez continued to refine his skills, becoming more explosive with each year.

His 2023 and 2024 seasons were particularly notable. In 2023, Martinez rushed for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to both break away for long runs and grind out tough yards between the tackles. What stood out most about Martinez was his impressive ability to stay balanced and keep his legs churning even when facing heavy contact. Whether it was running in a power scheme or using his agility to weave through defenders in a zone-blocking scheme, Martinez exhibited the full range of skills that NFL teams covet in a running back.

In addition to his rushing ability, Martinez also demonstrated solid hands as a receiver out of the backfield. His pass-catching ability made him an even more dangerous threat, giving him the chance to contribute in multiple facets of Miami’s offense. This dual-threat capability, along with his work ethic and leadership on the field, made him one of the top backs in college football.

Jordan Plocher’s Assessment of Martinez

When it comes to evaluating NFL prospects, few analysts have the same level of insight and attention to detail as Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus. Plocher’s reputation in the world of football analysis is built on his data-driven approach and ability to evaluate players with nuance. His selection of Damien Martinez as the best early-round back and late-round pick in the 2025 draft is a notable endorsement, particularly because Plocher recognizes that while Martinez may be one of the top running backs in the country, his skill set also makes him a potential steal in the later rounds.

Plocher points to several factors that make Martinez stand out from other running backs in the 2025 draft class. These factors are integral to why Martinez has the potential to succeed at the next level, regardless of when he is drafted. Here are the main reasons why Plocher believes Martinez has the capability to be a game-changer in the NFL:

1. Vision and Patience

One of the key attributes that set Damien Martinez apart is his ability to read defenses and make quick decisions on the fly. His vision and patience behind the line of scrimmage allow him to find creases and exploit them, often making something out of nothing. Martinez does not rely on speed alone; he understands how to set up blockers, allowing his offensive line to open running lanes and then bursting through them when the opportunity arises.

Plocher notes that many running backs struggle with vision, especially when facing NFL-caliber defenders. However, Martinez has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of how to read defensive alignments and anticipate how the play will unfold. His ability to process information quickly and make decisive cuts helps him to gain extra yardage and keep defenders off balance.

2. Balance and Power

Martinez possesses remarkable balance for a back of his size, often staying upright and continuing to churn out extra yards after contact. When running between the tackles, he shows a natural ability to break arm tackles and push forward with power. Whether it’s shedding defenders with his stiff arm or lowering his shoulder to initiate contact, Martinez has the physicality to grind out tough yards in short-yardage situations.

Plocher highlights that Martinez has a rare combination of strength and agility for his size, which makes him a dangerous threat in both power and zone blocking schemes. His low center of gravity and ability to absorb contact while staying on his feet make him incredibly difficult to bring down, especially in the open field. NFL scouts value backs who can consistently break tackles and create additional yardage after contact, and Martinez fits that mold perfectly.

3. Pass-Catching Ability

In today’s NFL, running backs who can contribute in the passing game are highly coveted. Martinez’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield sets him apart from many of his peers. While he’s known for his rushing ability, Plocher notes that Martinez’s natural hands and ability to run routes make him a versatile weapon for any offense.

Throughout his college career, Martinez has proven capable of running effective routes, especially as a checkdown option in passing situations. His ability to catch passes and turn them into significant yardage adds a dynamic dimension to his game. The ability to contribute as both a rusher and receiver will allow him to fit seamlessly into an NFL offense, particularly in today’s pass-heavy league.

4. Quickness and Burst

While Damien Martinez may not be the fastest running back in terms of pure 40-yard dash times, his game speed is excellent, particularly in short bursts. His ability to change direction quickly and accelerate out of cuts makes him an explosive threat once he gets through the line of scrimmage. Plocher emphasizes that Martinez’s quickness allows him to gain separation from defenders in the open field, often leaving tacklers grasping at air as he accelerates past them.

In the open field, Martinez has demonstrated his ability to outrun defenders and create big plays. His lateral quickness and ability to cut on a dime make him particularly effective in space, whether he’s breaking off a long run or catching a screen pass and turning it into a big gain.

5. Work Ethic and Leadership

In addition to his physical and technical skills, Plocher also praises Martinez’s character, work ethic, and leadership qualities. Throughout his time at Miami, Martinez has been known as a player who leads by example both on and off the field. He is a tireless worker who constantly strives to improve his game, whether it’s through film study, strength training, or refining his technical skills. These leadership qualities make him an attractive prospect for NFL teams, especially those looking for a player who can make an immediate impact in the locker room.

The Late-Round Steal Potential

While Plocher has identified Damien Martinez as a top-tier early-round back, he also notes that there is a scenario where Martinez could slide into the later rounds of the draft. This could happen for several reasons, such as the deep depth at the running back position in the 2025 class or other factors like team needs or draft strategy. In this scenario, Plocher believes Martinez could become an incredible steal for a team looking to land a quality running back in the middle or late rounds.

Given Martinez’s combination of skills, versatility, and work ethic, teams in need of a reliable, well-rounded running back would be thrilled to land him in the later rounds. His ability to be an immediate contributor on special teams, as well as his upside as a lead back in the future, makes him a potential gem for teams who are patient in developing him.

The Future for Damien Martinez

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Damien Martinez’s future looks incredibly bright. His combination of power, agility, vision, and pass-catching ability makes him one of the most complete running back prospects in the country. Whether he is selected early in the draft or slides into the later rounds, Martinez is poised to make a significant impact at the next level.

For Miami Hurricanes fans, it will be exciting to watch their star running back continue to rise through the draft ranks. His potential to contribute at the next level is clear, and with experts like Jordan Plocher highlighting his strengths, the future is incredibly promising for Damien Martinez.

As he prepares for the draft, Martinez will continue to work tirelessly to improve his game and prove that he’s ready for the challenges of the NFL. Whether he’s drafted in the first round or as a late-round steal, his talent and work ethic will make him a player to watch in the coming years.