49ers star Fred Warner leads Top 20 Latinos in NFL in 2025
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Xavier Andrade,
- September 7, 2025
Fred Warner reps Mexico, Panama proudly
If you didn’t know that one of the best linebackers in the National Football League had Mexican roots, the San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner made it clear when he wore a Mexican national soccer jersey while he supported El Tri at the Concacaf Gold Cup in July.
Federico “Fred” Warner has Mexican and Panamanian roots. He has been one of the best Latinos in the NFL for a few years now. In May, Pro Football Focus even ranked him this year as the top linebacker in the NFL this season.
“The four-time All-Pro has a long history of elite play in all facets, having charted as a top-five linebacker in each of the past five seasons,” PFF wrote about Warner.
Fred Warner, 28, leads our list of Top 20 Latinos in the NFL. Here are 20 Latinos to look for during the 2025 NFL season:
Elite play
Fred Warner | LB | San Francisco 49ers | Mexican & Panamanian Heritage
There’s much to praise when discussing a defensive talent like Fred Warner. Since his rookie year in 2018, Warner has anchored the 49ers’ defense, consistently leading the team in tackles.
In seven seasons, he has 897 tackles, 10 sacks and 10 interceptions. The versatile linebacker is a four-time AP First-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowl pick with two Super Bowl appearances.
- Christian Gonzalez | DB | New England Patriots | Colombian Heritage
Since entering the NFL in 2023, Christian Gonzalez has lined up against many of the top receivers. In 2024, Gonzalez ranked second in completion percentage allowed (50.9%). He was the only cornerback, according to Next Gen Stats, to not allow a touchdown on a deep target last season.
With a defensive-minded coach like Mike Vrabel taking over in 2025 in New England, Gonzalez should shine when healthy.
- Nik Bonitto | LB | Denver Broncos | Cuban Heritage
Nik Bonitto inked a four-year, $106 million extension coming off a career year with the Denver Broncos. He was a nightmare for quarterbacks in 2024. Last season, the Broncos were one of the best in rushing the passer, reaching a franchise record in sacks (63). Bonnito led Denver with a career-high 13.5 sacks, earning a 2024 Pro Bowl selection.
Pacheco seeks another Super Bowl
- Isiah Pacheco | RB | Kansas City Chiefs | Puerto Rican Heritage
Running back Isiah Pacheco has had a decorated start to his young NFL career. The former Rutgers star has played in three consecutive Super Bowls to start his career. His contributions on the ground have helped Kansas City secure two Super Bowl titles.
Pacheco rushed for 2,075 yards and scored 13 rushing touchdowns in his first three seasons for the Chiefs.
- Chris Olave | WR | New Orleans Saints | Cuban Heritage
It became clear when Chris Olave was taken with the 11th pick in the 2022 NFL draft that the Saints were gearing up for future production from the young star.
Olave lived up to expectations, putting up numbers right away, earning a 2022 All-Rookie team selection and leading the Saints in receptions and receiving yards in each of his first two NFL seasons.
- Bryce Young | QB | Carolina Panthers | Mexican Heritage
The first overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft showed significant improvement after his second NFL season and first with head coach Dave Canales in 2024. His signature victory came in Week 18 against their division rival Atlanta Falcons. He threw for 251 yards and tallied five total touchdowns, achieving a career-high passer rating of 123.5 in the 44-38 win.
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- Julian Love | DB | Seattle Seahawks | Cuban & Mexican Heritage
It was an impressive year for Julian Love in 2024. He led the Seattle Seahawks in tackles under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald. Before arriving in Seattle in 2023, Love was drafted by the New York Giants in 2019. He spent four seasons in the Big Apple. He has hit the 100-tackle mark in both of his seasons with the Seahawks while grabbing seven interceptions.
Love’s six-year NFL experience will be crucial for the Seahawks, the fourth youngest team in the NFL.
Cesar Ruiz offers protection
- Cesar Ruiz | OL | New Orleans Saints | Dominican & Puerto Rican Heritage
Cesar Ruiz will be tasked with protecting a young quarterback room for the New Orleans Saints this season. He will be going into Week 1 as their starting right guard. Despite missing four games in 2024, Ruiz finished the season rated as one of the top in his position allowing just one sack and a 2.2% pressure rate according to Pro Football Focus.
- Cairo Santos | K | Chicago Bears | Brazilian Heritage
After joining the Bears in 2020, Brazilian Cairo Santos has become one of the most reliable kickers the franchise has seen in recent years. He ranks first in Bears history in field goal percentage (89.3). Santos set a Bears single-season record for most field goals of 50 or more yards in a season (8).
Santos came in clutch for the Bears in 2024 when he ended Chicago’s 10-game losing streak against the Green Bay Packers by hitting a 51-yard field goal to secure a 24-22 victory.
- Steve Avila | OL | Los Angeles Rams | Mexican Heritage
During his rookie season, Steve Avila emerged as a dependable asset on the offensive line, starting all 17 games at left guard for the Rams in 2023. Avila will switch to center, a position he is very familiar with from his time at TCU.
During his college career, he earned All-American and First Team All-Big 12 honors playing center.
- Matt Araiza | P | Kansas City Chiefs | Mexican Heritage
Araiza was a record-setting punter in college for the San Diego Aztecs. The 2021 unanimous All-American set an NCAA record for punting average in a season with 51.19 yards per punt. Araiza spent his rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.
Elijah Arroyo ready to make his mark
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Elijah Arroyo | TE | Seattle Seahawks | University of Miami | Mexican Heritage
Elijah Arroyo was highlighted by Our Esquina as one of the top Latino prospects to be drafted in 2025. Since being taken by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round, the tight end has generated a lot of excitement.
He is listed as the second string tight end on the Seahawks’ depth chart heading into Week 1.
- Chris Rodriguez | RB| | Washington Commanders | Puerto Rican Heritage
Chris Rodriguez was a force during his college days at the University of Kentucky, setting program records for the most 100-yard rushing games. He is second in school history in rushing touchdowns.
Rodriguez has appeared in over 20 games for the Commanders with 420 yards rushing and four touchdowns in two seasons.
- Corey Bojorquez | P | Cleveland Browns | Mexican Heritage
Taking on the Cleveland Browns starting punting role in 2025, Corey Bojorquez is an accomplished six-year NFL veteran.
In 2024 he set a Browns franchise record with 36 punts inside the 20-yard line.
He was an undrafted free agent coming out of college in 2018. He has spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers.
Braxton Berrios settles in Houston
- Braxton Berrios | WR | Houston Texans | Puerto Rican Heritage
Braxton Berrios, who was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in 2018, joined the Texans this offseason on a one-year deal. Before signing with the Texans, he also spent four seasons with the New York Jets and three seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
Berrios is known for his versatility. Once he heals from a hamstring injury, he is expected to bring a spark to special teams. He could be the starting punt returner.
- Malcolm Rodriguez | LB | Detroit Lions | Mexican Heritage
Selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth-round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Malcolm Rodriguez became a training camp standout as he fought to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
He exceeded expectations in his rookie year, starting 15 of 16 games and earning a spot on the 2022 All-Rookie squad. In the 2023 NFC Championship game, he demonstrated his talent on a big stage by intercepting 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
- Rigoberto Sanchez | P | Indianapolis Colts | Mexican Heritage
Since 2017 after being undrafted, Rigoberto Sanchez has taken over the punting duties for the Indianapolis Colts. He holds the franchise record for the longest punt (79 yards) and set the team’s single-season gross punting average record with 49.7 yards per punt in the 2023 season.
Will Hernandez returns from ACL injury
- Will Hernandez | OL | Arizona Cardinals | Mexican Heritage
Will Hernandez was originally drafted by the New York Giants in 2018. That same year, he was selected for the 2018 All-Rookie team. He joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2023.
Hernandez has started more than 100 games in his NFL career. A torn ACL shortened his 2024 season, but he has since recovered. He will be back on the field as the Cardinals’ second-string right guard for the start of the 2025 season.
- Roy Lopez | DL | Detroit Lions | Mexican Heritage
Roy Lopez, a defensive lineman drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, is heading to the Detroit Lions for the 2025 season. During his four-year career with the Texans and Arizona Cardinals, Lopez has started in 50 of the 63 games he’s played tallying 137 tackles and three sacks.
- Kain Medrano | LB | Washington Commanders |
Selected by the Washington Commanders in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft, Kain Medrano committed to UCLA as a wide receiver. He transitioned to linebacker under then-head coach Chip Kelly.
Once Medrano settled into the linebacker position, he became a force. Medrano ended his senior season with 72 tackles with four pass break-ups, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Medrano reunites with his former UCLA linebacker’s coach Ken Norton Jr.
Xavier Andrade
Xavier Andrade, who played football at Luther College, graduated with degrees in Communications and Political Science. He previously worked in editorial and social media for Hola Cultura, a Latino publication in Washington, D.C. Andrade currently coaches football at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, Calif.
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