Cory's Corner: Damien Martinez Holds All The Cards
The 2025 seventh round pick has a real shot to turn heads in training camp.
The Green Bay Packers enter training camp with a clear, expensive identity at the top of their running back depth chart, but the real intrigue isn't centered on Josh Jacobs. It is fixed squarely on a bruising, highly explosive wildcard who arrives in Green Bay with absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you are looking for the definitive breakout candidate capable of completely upending the offensive hierarchy this summer, look no further than Damien Martinez.
While the battle for the “RB2” spot has largely been framed as a binary choice between the explosive but injury-prone MarShawn Lloyd and the reliable, pass-protecting Chris Brooks, Martinez is the player who possesses the unique skill set to rewrite the script. He isn't just an extra body competing for a roster spot; he is a schematic disruptor.
Martinez is a former standout at Oregon State and Miami with 3,169 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. He is positioned as a significant breakout candidate for the Packers, capable of challenging for a major role in the backfield. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot, 217-pound running back displayed impressive physical metrics, including a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, a 35.00-inch vertical, and 10-foot-4-inch broad jump, demonstrating the elite power and speed necessary to complement Josh Jacobs.
What makes him the guy to watch, however, is how perfectly those physical traits translate to Matt LaFleur’s offensive philosophy. LaFleur’s system thrives on illusion and structural balance, demanding a back who can punish light defensive fronts when defenses overcommit to stopping Jordan Love’s vertical passing game. Martinez excels at exactly that. He boasts an elite ability to absorb contact, bounce off the initial hit, and consistently churn out hard yards after contact.
And because of all that, the door is wide open for Martinez to make a loud, definitive impression on the coaching staff. Relying on Lloyd requires a massive leap of faith regarding his durability, as injuries have consistently anchored the young back to the training room. Relying on Brooks, while safe from a pass-protection standpoint, caps the running game's explosive ceiling. Martinez bridges that gap entirely. He offers the raw, fresh-legged durability that Lloyd lacks, combined with a much higher ceiling as a pure, zone-scheme runner than Brooks.
As rookie and injured players report to camp this Monday, July 27, followed by the veterans on Tuesday, the spotlight on the backfield will intensify. When the first official public practice kicks off on Wednesday morning, watch how Martinez handles his touches. In the grueling environment of training camp, coaches look for players who bring an undeniable energy and a physical edge to padded practices. Martinez’s bruising style is built to shine the moment the pads come on.
If Martinez can quickly master the complex pass-blocking assignments required to protect Love, he won't just secure a roster spot — he will push his way into a significant weekly role. Jacobs will undoubtedly carry the primary load, but a long NFL season requires a reliable hammer to close out games and keep the starter fresh. Damien Martinez has the size, the vision, and the violent running style to be that hammer. The battle for the backfield is officially underway, and number 26 is the one holding all the cards.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (20)
Guam
July 25, 2026 at 07:14 am
Another wide of the mark article by Cory. I know this is the silly season, but really........Damien Martinez is the savior of the backfield?
He's made Martinez sound like a first round draft choice when he was actually a seventh rounder with question marks. My favorite Cory line was "If Martinez can quickly master the complex pass blocking assignments required to protect Love...". How many young running backs have tried and failed to be good in pass pro? Pass protection is one of the hardest parts of being a professional running back and Cory makes it seem like a bagatelle.
I can't wait for training camp to start and we can read some factual content rather than hyperbole.
dobber
July 25, 2026 at 09:21 am
<<clicks heels together>>
...there's no place like camp.
...there's no place like camp.
<<points successively to Damien Martinez, Isaiah Naylor, Kristian Welch, and Jonathan Ford>>
You were there...and you were there...and you...and YOU!
dblbogey
July 25, 2026 at 04:03 pm
I remember 7 years ago when many Packers fans thought Ty Summers would be a HOF linebacker. This was based on training camp and a preseason game against 3rd stringers. I'll wait and see what happens, and also am ready for actual football.
Coldworld
July 25, 2026 at 07:38 am
Martinez averaged 6.2 YPC in college as a power back. He’s got really good balance. He’s hard to get down and shows the vision to find holes and patience. That said, there’s not much wiggle. He will plow through defenders though with a very strong lower body, He’s a straight line guy and lacks home run speed. However, as a pure runner, he’s far better than a 7th round prospect. He is of a very similar type to Jacobs or Wilson. In fact he’s about as close as one could get to a Jacobs style RB.
The problem is his protection. He wasn’t good at it technically at all. He wasn’t unwilling, but just very rough. That won’t cut it under LaFleur. Has that improved since his arrival? If it has then Martinez just might change thinking. If not, I think it’s unrealistic to see him rostered absent injuries.
I’m looking forward to seeing him in preseason. I think he’s much better than most fans assume. He was widely predicted to go in the early mid rounds. Perhaps the protection issues were what dragged him down. However, he has had issues with weight fluctuation that may have been a factor. He tested at 217 but has previously ballooned as far as 240 and he played in the low 230s. He apparently had the nickname Potato at one point. There’s a suspicion he was perhaps immature initially in college, though it seems he matured later.
PeteK
July 25, 2026 at 08:29 am
Another interesting competition to watch in camp. We also have a veteran, Pierre Strong, competing in that group. While not a starter he is very versatile as a receiver, returner, and kick coverage.
Coldworld
July 25, 2026 at 09:01 am
He’s never returned a punt in the pros or at university, unfortunately. He is, as you say, a genuine option, if probably a back up one, as a kick returner. He has 35 NFL returns at a 23.6 average—Williams even hobbled last year averaged 25.6 and Wilson 25.9 last year.
If Lloyd went down I could see Strong being a viable replacement. If Jacobs did, not really. He is primarily an outside the tackles speed first guy. He does have a 100% completion record as a passer in college (9 of 9). Perhaps emergency QB material.
PackEyedOptimist
July 25, 2026 at 09:43 am
I like Strong as a replacement for Lloyd (if he goes down again), but he’s three years older than Martinez.
Since'61
July 25, 2026 at 08:48 am
I wish Martinez the best. However the opponents that he faced at Oregon State are not exactly the best that the NCAA has to offer. I like his size and speed but how well would he do against NFL level competition? I hope that he can make the PS at least.
Anything can happen and if makes the final 53 that much the better for the Packers. However if Lloyd can finally stay on the field I think he has more upside than Martinez. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
July 25, 2026 at 09:13 am
Absent injuries, I think Martinez’s chance of making the opening roster is if they really don’t want to play large portions of games without a between the tackles type and don’t feel Brooks is a true candidate to carry a significant load. That was always Wilson when Jacobs was down for any extended period. To change that would require Martinez to be a revelation as a protector or Jacobs to be unavailable (which seems unlikely, at least yet). If Martinez is dramatically improved as a protector he might just upset the applecart, but that degree of improvement is unlikely.
dobber
July 25, 2026 at 09:26 am
More often than not, the OL makes the back.
Since'61
July 25, 2026 at 09:55 am
Dobber that's very true. Which is why it is vital for the Packers OL to be much improved in their run blocking for the 2026 season. I remember what the Lombardi OL did for Elijah Pitts, Travis Williams, Ben Wilson and Chuck Mercien after Hornung and Taylor were gone and whenever Donny Anderson and Grabowski were out with injuries.
Thanks, Since '61
Zapato
July 25, 2026 at 11:34 am
I think if Lloyd can stay healthy, he'll be the number 2. Hard to see Brooks not being number 3. So, I guess that puts Martinez on the practice squad. That's if he clears waivers, which if he's as good as the article implies, may not happen. But it sure would be nice to have some insurance in case Lloyd gets injured again.
GreenandBold
July 25, 2026 at 08:49 am
Very much looking forward to watching this young man compete in training camp and the pre season . I’m sure he will get a lot of touches to show what he can do . If he can make the team or the practice squad and improves enough to get on the field late in the season that would be big for the Packers .
PackEyedOptimist
July 25, 2026 at 09:40 am
Regular readers possibly know I have repeatedly sung Martinez praises. He’s my #1 guy to watch this preseason. I’d describe him as halfway between Josh Jacobs and Jamaal Williams. He’s still young, and could easily develop into a very good pass-protector (Williams improved tremendously at that in his first two years in the NFL).
If the top three remain healthy, I expect him to be the top PS RB.
dobber
July 25, 2026 at 09:40 am
Yawn.
Go win a job young man.
The waiver wire is littered with productive college backs.
LambeauPlain
July 25, 2026 at 10:31 am
Strong Jr. is a better prospect. He has more in his toolbox than Martinez.
Pierre is fast, quick, incredibly powerful, a solid receiver and pass protector and solid KR. Unlike Martinez, he doesn't need to be schooled in the pro game. He just needs practice reps to show what he can do. He could fill in for Lloyd and/or Brooks.
Coldworld
July 25, 2026 at 10:50 am
Strong has never been a good pass protector. Yes, he’s strong for his size, but his bread and butter is outside the tackles and always has been. I hope his protection skills have improved, but he will never be a Jacobs/Wilson type back. As a replacement for Lloyd, he’s not a bad option. He’s 5 years older than Martinez, which might be a consideration in terms of future upside, though they are wholly dissimilar backs.
TarynsEyes
July 25, 2026 at 11:17 am
The only way this guy holds all the cards is if nobody else is at the table to play.
marpag1
July 25, 2026 at 03:17 pm
Here's the Wikipedia version:
"He was a 7th round draft pick. He got cut. He was signed to a practice squad. He got cut. He was signed to another practice squad. He was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He has the world's stupidest tatoo on his right thigh. He holds all the cards."
Can't wait for the next Cory-bot article, "Luke Lachey is in the Driver's Seat."
lou
July 25, 2026 at 05:17 pm
He is in camp because of his college production and position measureables as are many of the lower tier wide receivers. The good news is he will get his chances and you hope he can make the 53. The bad news is we had a solid #2 who answered the call each time Jacobs needed to be spelled or when injured, was our only 100 yard back last season and was outstanding on 3rd/4th short yardage situations and we could have had him back for a song.