Dallas Cowboys expected to sign Marcus Martin; Starting left guard?
The Dallas Cowboys might have just found themselves their starter at left guard with the expected signing of offensive lineman Marcus Martin.
The silence through the first week of free agency for the Dallas Cowboys has suddenly been interrupted by a cacophony of signings which kicked off on Thursday. The Cowboys inked linebacker Joe Thomas and wide receiver Deonte Thompson to deals with both players providing depth at positions of need.
On Friday, the Cowboys signed former Jacksonville Jaguars star receiver Allen Hurns to a two-year contract worth $12 million. And over the weekend, Dallas was reportedly expected to sign former New England Patriot Cameron Fleming, an offensive tackle who started in the Super Bowl earlier this year.
The Cowboys are believed to be set to announce several official signings on Monday, Fleming being one of them. But he is reportedly not the only O-lineman who Dallas has agreed to a deal.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are expected to sign free agent interior lineman Marcus Martin as well. A former third round selection out of USC in 2014, Martin spent his first three seasons in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. He started 24 of his 26 played games with the Niners.
The 24-year old fell out of favor in San Francisco and was picked up off the waiver wire by the Cleveland Browns last March. But Martin never played a single meaningful snap in Cleveland, spending all of last season as a healthy scratch.
Certainly a bit of a project for new offensive line coach Paul Alexander, the 6-foot-3, 310 pound Martin is a former high draft pick who is still young enough to get his game back. He also provides some position flex, with the ability to play both at guard and center.
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With the signing away of their starting left guard from last season, Jonathan Cooper, who inked a one-year deal with the Niners as a free agent, Marcus Martin could be a candidate to take his place along the offensive line. But the expected signing of Cameron Fleming could also mean Dallas has decided to move starting right tackle La’el Collins back to left guard instead. That would mean Martin would then likely be the replacement for backup Joe Looney, who is currently a free agent.