Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Damien Martinez

Monday, January 13, 10:50 AM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was a complete non-factor in the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on wild-card weekend. Like most of the season, Denver's backfield was stuck in the mud and couldn't get anything going to control the game, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards on four carries. McLaughlin, who had been the leader of a committee backfield late in the season, had only two rushing attempts for minus-two yards while catching his only target for no gain. It was a dismal end to the 24-year-old's second season in the NFL. He finished with 113 carries for 496 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and only one rushing touchdown in 16 regular-season games while adding 24 catches for 76 yards and two more TDs through the air. Denver will surely look to upgrade their backfield in the offseason to give more help to Nix in 2025.

Friday, August 8, 8:50 AM

Seattle Seahawks running back Damien Martinez made his preseason debut on Thursday against the Raiders, but he worked well behind George Holani, who seems to have the early lead in the competition for the third running back spot in Seattle. Martinez ran for just 10 yards on his six carries and caught both his targets for 15 more yards. He added 25 yards on two kickoff returns as well. The seventh-round pick out of Miami has stepped up in pass coverage and as a receiver, which was a question mark for him coming into the draft. However, Holani seems to be firmly ahead of him on the depth chart. Martinez will look to make more of an impact and earn a roster spot in the next two weeks as the Seahawks face the Chiefs and Packers in their other two preseason contests.