NFL Dallas Cowboys

2014 NFL Draft: Zack Martin Top Rookie Offensive Guard

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By @rickstavig

Zack Martin, NFL Draft

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Not many people thought the offensive guard class of the 2014 NFL Draft was anything special. It was even reflected in the draft itself, with only one guard taken in the first 77 picks, though it was thought a few of the ‘tweener OT’s might wind up playing OG at the next level. How did the rookie guards fare this year? Unbelievable. At the current rate these guys are playing, this could go down as the best draft class of guards of all time. Who played the best? Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys, taken 16th overall.

Martin was one of the ‘tweener OT’s who most figured would slide inside to OG because of a lack of ideal length at 6-foot 4 and arms shorter than 33-inches. As good as Martin was protecting the blindside edge at Notre Dame throughout his stellar collegiate career, he’s been even better playing inside at the next level.

Martin has done well in run blocking (he’s a big reason the ‘Boys are 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game), but he’s really excelled in pass protection, helping seal the interior pocket for QB Tony Romo. In fact, out of the more than 1,000 snaps Martin has played in his professional career so far, he still hasn’t given up a sack. He’s given up 8 hurries, but no sacks, and has only committed two penalties, which speaks volumes of his awareness for such a young pro.

Plain and simple, Martin looks like a perennial Pro Bowler for about the next decade or so. Plus, with his versatility and experience playing the edge, the Cowboys will always have the option to slide him to the outside in a pinch should injuries become a problem. He’s not the only OG to experience such success this year, however.

Cleveland Browns rookie Joel Bitonio (35th pick) was neck and neck with Martin in my eyes, and even graded out better according to ProFootballFocus, with a +23.4 compared to a +20.6. While Martin shined in pass pro, Bitonio was an absolute monster in the run game, pairing with future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas at LT to give the Browns the best left side in all of football.

Those two weren’t alone. Of the ten rookie guards who were eligible for grading on PFF, 6 graded positively (comparatively just 1 OT of 8 did so). Bitonio and Martin were 1 and 2, but Brandon Linder (93rd, Jacksonville Jaguars) was at 16.6, Carolina Panthers’ Andrew Norwell (undrafted free agent) and Trai Turner (92nd) graded at +8.0 and +4.0 respectively, and Gabe Jackson (81st) rated at 4.5 for the Oakland Raiders.

What a year for rookie guards. In the end, I had to give the edge to Martin a tad over Bitonio, if for nothing else his season is still rolling on while Bitonio begins preparing for year two.

Rick Stavig is an NFL Draft Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rickstavig or add him to your network on Google+.

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