The Dallas Cowboys had the top-ranked offense in the NFL in 2019. It was led by the extraordinary leap of Quarterback Dak Prescott into the conversation of the league’s best with 4,902 yards (2nd in the NFL) and 30 touchdowns (4th in the NFL). Much of that can be contributed to his excellent blocking upfront and in particular All-Pro Guard Zack Martin.
According to Pro Football Focus, Martin didn’t allow a single sack in 630 pass-blocking snaps in 2019.
Martin was on the field for 1,115 snaps last season which were 57 more than his previous best in 2016. For the fifth time in six years, Martin started all 16 games for the Cowboys (missed two starts due to MCL sprain in 2018).
The Cowboys iron man’s dominance can be traced back a long way. In a piece I did last month, Pro Football Focus also noted recently that Martin hasn’t allowed a sack since Week 14 of the 2018 season, and has only allowed eight for his entire career, in 3,711 pass-blocking snaps. If that isn’t totally destroying your competition I don’t know what is.
There’s no question that if Martin continues this level of dominance that’s he’s a shoo-in first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s made the Pro Bowl and been selected as an All-Pro in each of his six seasons. Now, with Travis Frederick retiring suddenly back in March, Martin’s stellar play inside will be more paramount than ever as Joe Looney will presumably take over the starting role at Center like he did in Frederick’s absence due to him missing all of 2018 with Guillian-Barre Syndrome.
Look for another Pro Bowl/All-Pro season for Martin in 2020.
