When the Dallas Cowboys drafted Zack Martin with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, many fans were disappointed. The team had passed on Johnny Manziel, a Texas A&M quarterback with enormous hype, for an offensive lineman from Notre Dame. But a decade later, it’s clear the Cowboys made not just the right choice, but one of the best draft decisions in franchise history. Zack Martin hasn’t just been good—he’s been great, consistently dominant, and quietly historic. As his career begins to wind down, one thing becomes clear: Zack Martin is destined for Canton and enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Instant Impact: A Rookie Like No Other
From his very first game in 2014, Zack Martin played like a seasoned veteran. He didn’t just hold his own; he imposed his will on defenders. He started every game at right guard and didn’t allow a single sack all season. His performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection and First-Team All-Pro honors—unprecedented accolades for a rookie offensive lineman.
It’s rare for any lineman to be recognized so early in their career, especially in a league where the spotlight rarely shines on the trenches. But Martin was impossible to ignore. His balance, technique, strength, and football IQ were on full display. The Cowboys’ offensive line, long considered a weakness, suddenly became one of the best units in the league—and Martin was a cornerstone of that transformation.
Dominance Through Consistency
Consistency is a hallmark of greatness, and no offensive lineman has embodied that quality more than Zack Martin. Since entering the NFL, he has made the Pro Bowl in nearly every season he’s played—earning 9 Pro Bowl selections in his first 10 seasons (missing only one due to injury). He has also been named First-Team All-Pro multiple times, further underscoring his elite status among peers.
Offensive linemen don’t have stats like touchdowns or yards to measure their success. But Martin’s impact is visible in other ways: rushing lanes opened by his blocks, clean pockets for his quarterbacks, and a complete absence of penalties or mistakes in high-pressure situations. He rarely commits holding penalties, doesn’t miss assignments, and is a leader both on and off the field.
Elite in Every Aspect of the Game
Martin is the complete package. Technically sound with impeccable footwork and hand placement, he rarely gets beat in pass protection. His ability to anchor against powerful defensive tackles, as well as his quickness to reach second-level defenders in the run game, make him one of the most versatile linemen in NFL history.
Additionally, Martin has been remarkably durable. Outside of a couple of minor injuries, he’s been a fixture on the Cowboys’ line—week in and week out, year after year. His toughness is legendary; he’s played through injuries that would sideline most players, simply because his team needed him.
The Engine Behind a Star-Studded Offense
While quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers get the glory, every successful offense begins with protection and blocking. Martin has played a pivotal role in the success of multiple Pro Bowlers, including:
DeMarco Murray, who led the NFL in rushing in 2014.
Ezekiel Elliott, who rushed for over 1,000 yards multiple times with Martin clearing the way.
Dak Prescott, who has benefited from Martin’s pass protection throughout his career.
Simply put, Zack Martin has been the engine that powered the Dallas Cowboys’ offense for a decade. His presence has elevated everyone around him, and he’s earned the respect of players, coaches, analysts, and fans alike.
Respected by the Game’s Best
What do his peers say about him? Across the league, Martin is consistently ranked among the top 100 players by fellow NFL athletes, often the highest-rated guard in those rankings. Hall of Famers and analysts often refer to him as a generational talent. Bill Belichick, widely considered the greatest coach of all time, once called Martin the best guard he had ever studied on tape.
The respect he commands isn’t just based on accolades—it’s rooted in the way he plays the game. Quiet, disciplined, and ferociously competitive, Martin is the prototype for the modern offensive lineman.
The Hall of Fame Standard
So what makes a Hall of Famer? Longevity, dominance, accolades, team impact, and reputation across the league. Zack Martin checks every single box:
Pro Bowls: 9 (and counting)
First-Team All-Pro selections: Multiple
Games started: Over 140 and counting
Zero off-field controversies
Leadership role on and off the field
Era-defining excellence at his positionThe Pro Football Hall of Fame has been slow to recognize guards compared to other positions. But in recent years, that trend has shifted with the enshrinement of players like Steve Hutchinson, Alan Faneca, and Joe Thomas. Martin’s resume stacks up with—if not surpasses—them all.
Legacy in Dallas and Beyond
The Dallas Cowboys have a rich history of Hall of Fame players—Roger Staubach, Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Larry Allen. Zack Martin belongs in that elite company. He may not have the highlight reels of a wide receiver or the touchdown totals of a running back, but his legacy is equally significant. He’s protected the franchise’s future, opened lanes for its stars, and anchored the team with quiet greatness.
Cowboys fans already know what they have in Zack Martin: a once-in-a-generation lineman whose jersey number should one day be immortalized at AT&T Stadium.
In conclusion, Zack Martin’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is not a matter of “if”—it’s a matter of “when.” His dominance, professionalism, and unparalleled consistency have not only made him the best offensive guard of his era but one of the greatest of all time. For over a decade, he has defined excellence in the NFL trenches. Canton awaits.
