How a versatile tackle became the NFL's most decorated guard
In short: Drafted to play tackle but converted to guard, Zack Martin achieved unprecedented success. Over 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, he transformed from a high-profile prospect into a dominant force, earning nine Pro Bowl nods and nine All-Pro honors while becoming one of the most decorated linemen in modern football history.
Zack Martin's professional journey began with a strategic shift. Selected 16th overall in the 2014 NFL draft, the Cowboys originally intended to convert the tackle into an offensive guard. This transition proved remarkably successful; Martin became a starter at right guard immediately and was named a Pro Bowler and AP All-Pro in his rookie season, the first such rookie lineman since 1947.
His collegiate career at Notre Dame was marked by durability and leadership. With 52 appearances, Martin established a new school benchmark for career starts by an offensive lineman. During his final season in 2013, he led a unit that allowed only eight sacks, tying for the second-best mark in the FBS. His impact was so significant that he was named the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl MVP, becoming the first offensive lineman to receive that distinction since 1959.
In the NFL, Martin established himself as a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive line. He joined an elite group of only five offensive linemen to secure Pro Bowl invitations in each of their first six seasons, alongside legends like Joe Thomas and Richmond Webb. His dominance was further recognized when he was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Despite facing various challenges, including a 2021 COVID-19 diagnosis and several injuries, Martin remained a consistent presence. He signed a massive six-year, $84 million extension in 2018, which made him the highest-paid guard in the league at that time. After 11 seasons entirely with Dallas, he officially announced his retirement in February 2025.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Zack Martin
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