Since 2014, Zack Martin has served a key role on the right side of the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line.
After putting up another successful showing in 2022, it should be no surprise that those in league circles hold the Notre Dame product in high regard. A recent ESPN survey of NFL executives, coaches, players and scouts ranks Martin as the league’s top interior offensive lineman.
Martin leads a list that features a heavy Super Bowl LVII presence, with Chiefs OG Joe Thuney coming in at No. 2 and Philadelphia’s Jason Kelce being ranked at sixth. Oklahoma alum Creed Humphrey was ranked at No. 8.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that Martin didn’t run away with the top spot in the survey, but he stood out enough to be considered the best. Last offseason, Martin was given the designation as the second-best player at his position group in the same survey.
The highest ranking Martin collected was first, with the lowest coming at fifth. An executive pointed out Martin’s veteran savvy as a factor that put him a step above other linemen.
“He’s maybe declined physically a little bit due to age, but he’s so smart and so instinctive that he makes up for any physical shortcoming,” the executive told Fowler.
Martin is the fourth Cowboys player to receive recognition in this year’s survey, joining Tony Pollard, Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs.
Entering his 10th season in the NFL, Martin will be one of the most experienced members of an offensive line that could go through a few changes in 2023. In February, the club hired Mike Solari to lead the group as it finds the right combination of players for Week 1 of the new season.
Martin was named to the Associated Press All-Pro first team last year with Parsons.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.