Five Latinos to watch in the NFL playoffs

If the odds are correct, at least one Latino player will celebrate a Super Bowl title the way Isiah Pacheco rejoiced last year with the Puerto Rican flag over his broad shoulders. Nine of the 14 teams in the NFL playoffs feature a Latino, including the 15-1 Detroit Lions and Pacheco’s reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.

As we prepare to watch the NFL Playoffs, here are the Top 5 Latinos to watch. On Saturday we’ll highlight all 15 Latino players on the rosters of teams in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. We’ll also list the Latino coaches and executives in NFL Playoffs.

For now, here are five Latinos to watch in the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, 25, has experienced the thrill of winning the last two Super Bowls. The Puerto Rican can be a part of history if the Chiefs win three consecutive Super Bowls. 

It’s been a difficult year for Pacheco. He suffered a fractured fibula in the second week of the season, forcing him to miss nine games. 

The New Jersey kid overcame tremendous odds as a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers in the 2022 NFL Draft. He takes pride in his heritage and displayed the Puerto Rican flag after last year’s Super Bowl victory. 

Nik Bonitto 

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, 26, is having a breakout season with 13.5 sacks. The Cuban linebacker led the Broncos in sacks in his third NFL season. 

His presence helped guide them to a surprise playoff appearance and they gave up the third-fewest points in the league with 18.3 points per game.

The Fort Lauderdale native draws inspiration from his grandparents, who were born in Cuba. 

Steve Avila 

Los Angeles Rams center Steve Avila, 25, is having an exceptional sophomore season in the NFL.

Avila, who is bi-racial with a Mexican American father and African American mother, was born in Arlington, Texas. He stayed close to home to play collegiately at TCU for four years. 

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Avila was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he started all 17 games and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. This season he missed two months due to MCL surgery. 

Tony Jefferson

Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson, 32, is one of the best comeback stories of the season. Born in San Diego, he was raised in Chula Vista across the border from Tijuana, Mexico, Jefferson starred at Oklahoma.

The nine-year veteran has built a solid NFL career after he was snubbed in the 2013 NFL Draft. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2013. 

Jefferson was in the Baltimore Ravens’ front office last season, but the draw of his hometown Chargers brought him out of retirement in 2024. He has made 27 tackles (17 solo) over eight games this season. The eight games and 27 tackles are the most in a season for Jefferson since he played 14 games and made 74 tackles (53 solo) in 2018.

Jefferson, who has Mexican roots from his mother’s side, has made 492 tackles, 9.5 sacks and four interceptions over his career.

Zane Gonzalez

Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez, 29, has made the most of his opportunity this season. He joined the Commanders after starting kicker Austin Seibert suffered a groin injury.

Gonzalez, who was born in the Houston suburb of Deer Park, has Mexican roots. As a senior at Arizona State in 2016 he won the Lou Groza Award as the best kicker in college football. 

He had not kicked in the NFL since 2021. Gonzalez spent 2022 on the IR with the Carolina Panthers. He was on the 49ers practice squad for part of the 2023 season.

Gonzalez has hit five of his seven field goal attempts this season with a long of 48 yards. He made his NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns in 2017.