Andrew Harbaugh
May 31, 2024 10:10 am CT
Summer is the most pivotal part of scouting for both teams and fans. The idea is to educate yourself on the players who could be selected in next April’s draft and who could play for or against the Vikings.
The latter part is critical to our Summer scouting here on Vikings Wire.
The Minnesota Vikings and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah only have three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft heading into the Summer. More could be acquired through trade or the compensatory variety, but for now, that is all the ammo they have.
The lack of draft picks means this series will focus on the players we are likely to play against or who could cause problems for the team in the future. Every position will be covered so that you, the reader, can be a complete NFL fan as much as you are a Vikings fan. Educating yourself on these prospects is critical to better understanding the offseason as a whole, and we feel we can fill in the gaps.
Player background
Oct 28, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Damien Martinez #6 runs the ball against Arizona Wildcats linebacker Justin Flowe #10 during the second half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Damien Martinez
- Position: Running back
- School: Oregon State
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 238
- Year: Third-year Junior
Player data
October 7, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Damien Martinez (6) is congratulated by offensive lineman Joshua Gray (67) for scoring a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
- Three-star recruit according to 247 Sports
- Competed in track in high school (100m)
- Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2022
- First-team All-Pac 12 in 2022 and 2023
- Doak Walker Award ( Nations Top RB) semi-finalist
Notable stats heading into the 2024 season
Nov 19, 2022; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Damien Martinez (6) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
- 370 touches
- 2,354 total yards
- 16 total touchdowns
- 6.1 yards per carry
- 12.5 yards per reception
Notable PFF numbers
Syndication: Statesman Journal
- 88.1 rushing grade
- 84.9 fumble grade
- 3.66 yards per carry after contact
- 37.7% of rushing yards on breakaway runs (15 yards or more)
- 97 missed tackles forced
Player strengths
Nov 18, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Damien Martinez (6) escapes a tackle by Washington Huskies linebacker Carson Brunner (42) during the second half at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Vision
Damien Martinez has some excellent vision at the running back position. You can tell he can read a defense and knows where the blockers are designed to go but most importantly, he trusts them. Not many running backs seemingly do that anymore, so seeing Martinez trust the guys in front of him to create lanes is vital. Even when a running lane gets closed, he is able to find another lane for him to create in.
Breaking Tackles
With Damien Martinez’s big frame and overall size, he breaks tackles hilariously. He has no problem running through defenders to pick up extra yards, nor does he fear being a receiving target, partly due to his size. When he breaks tackles, the numbers show he can pick up extra yards, which can make or break a drive in many instances. In the NFL, this trait alone will earn him a meaningful third-down role but could easily turn into more.
Contact Balance
My favorite trait of Damien Martinez has to be his contact balance, bar none. He handles contact so well, his size helps, but his footwork is the trick. He runs through arm tackles without losing momentum and then shows on film he can handle full-blown tacklers as they come at him. The contact balance is going to be huge for him as he develops as a receiver after getting limited work in that area in college.
Player summary
Nov 18, 2023; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers running back Damien Martinez (6) runs the ball during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Damien Martinez is a very fun running back to watch, very excited for his upcoming year at Miami. That being said, I am not sure he can be a number-one back for a team for a team with his current skillset. His pass blocking needs some work, as does his receiving work, but Miami could be the spot for him to get those developed better. I like Martinez as a rotational piece in an NFL backfield with serious upside for third-down usage. The 2025 running back class will be very deep, and some players will fall down the board. Martinez may be one of them, but he could be a steal with some further development.
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