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Cowboys offseason: Reasons to be positive - Zack Martin

May 26, 2024
Seattle Seahawks v Dallas Cowboys
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

What is something positive you think about the Cowboys right now?

There are offensive linemen in the Hall of Fame right now that have less accolades and more sacks allowed than Zack Martin. In terms of immediate impact players that managed to continue an extremely high level of production for Dallas, no other player has been better than Zack Martin. Most offensive linemen that get drafted hope to develop and build over the course of the first couple of years when entering the NFL. It literally took Martin a couple of quarters to be the guy who he would become in the NFL.

Taken with the 16th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, a lot of pundits scrutinized the pick expecting them to take Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. Even post draft Martin was talked about in the media and how wrong Dallas was for taking an inside offensive linemen so high. How wrong they were to doubt Dallas - again. Martin represented another piece of the revamped offensive line the Jerry Jones had pieced together over the years and he would be their finest.

In his rookie year, Martin allowed only two quarterback hits all year and zero sacks. It was an absolute clinic put on by Martin and he set the standard. To add to a perfect rookie season, Martin also proved his run blocking was just as good. By the end of the season he silenced every critic while making the front office look like geniuses with the high draft selection.

Over the next coming seasons, Martin, along with the likes of Travis Fredrick and Tyron Smith, really put on a show and helped DeMarco Murray go off for an insane season to break records. During that year some media personalities even questioned whether the Cowboys offensive line should be awarded the Most Valuable Player award.

From 2014 to 2019, Martin only missed two games and played on 3,711 passing snaps. On those passing plays, Martin allowed only 14 quarterback hits and eight sacks. This was just pure dominance unfolding and players that faced Martin all agreed he was the finest blocker in the NFL.

The fun and intriguing fact that went around last year was how Martin had been more to Pro Bowls than he had recorded holding penalties since 2016. He’s now been to nine Pro Bowls in the ten years he’s played in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers and Trent Williams are the only active players in the NFL with more, but both have played in more seasons than Martin. He now has seven All-Pro awards, that’s the most among all active players. If he gets another award this year that will place with the same amount as legends like Lawrence Taylor, Aaron Donald and even Jim Brown.

This could be the final season we see Martin play as he contemplates retirement. We truly hope he doesn’t as the man is just a pure bodyguard that never fails. His presence, leadership and unwavering professionalism is what makes him special. Well, that and the fact he hardly ever allows a sack.


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