Is Zack Martin the Dallas Cowboys best overall player?
Of all the shining stars that play for the Dallas Cowboys, could it be that an offensive guard is actually the best overall player on America’s Team?
If you asked a fan who is the best Dallas Cowboys player today, I’d bet you’d get multiple answers. And all fairly predictable. Running back Ezekiel Elliott, quarterback Dak Prescott, left tackle Tyron Smith and linebacker Sean Lee are the usual suspects. Even with his sagging numbers, you know they’ll be a few Dez Bryant flag-wavers representing.
But what if I told you that I believe starting right guard Zack Martin is actually the Cowboys’ best overall player. Would you call me crazy?
It’s amazing to think that during the 2014 NFL Draft I begged for the Cowboys to pick Texas A&M quarterback johnny Manziel 16th overall. And I to think I scoffed at the “safe” pick of Martin. Little did I know just how wrong I was.
Manziel was out of the league after two seasons. He’s already been spurred from joining the XFL when it returns in 2020.
In contrast, Martin hasn’t missed a single game in his entire four-year career. Speaking of four years, that’s how many seasons in a row Zack has been invited to the Pro Bowl. Throw in three first team All-Pro nominations while your at it.
Martin has simply been the best offensive guard in the NFL since he stepped on the field as a pro. Who else can say that? A writer from NFL.com recently noted just how important Martin’s play was during the suspension of Zeke.
"“A technique master, [Zack] Martin has been the NFL’s premier guard since the day he entered the league out of Notre Dame four years ago,” wrote Chris Wesseling on the league’s official website. “While Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension contributed to the Cowboys’ November skid, it’s to the credit of Martin and sterling center Travis Frederick that veteran power back Alfred Morris saw little drop-off in effectiveness as the stand-in starter.”"
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Now, Zack Martin did receive an All-Pro second team nomination in 2015. I guess that’s his version of a “down” season. The 27-year old is in the final year of his rookie deal in Dallas. The Cowboys are expected to sign him to a massive extension soon. It will surely make him the highest paid guard in the league. And Martin certainly deserves it and more.