Simply put, there is no way to completely replace Zack Martin.
Eleven consistent seasons that saw him earn seven first-team All-Pro nods while being called for just seven holding penalties in 11,164 offensive snaps is why he will be a prime candidate to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. For the future of the Cowboys, it’s a big reason why his void will always be felt.
But life must carry on.
For the Cowboys, it will be finding his replacement at the right guard position for the immediate or long-term future this offseason.
While drafting a player such as Alabama’s Tyler Booker, Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson or North Dakota State’s Gray Zabel could bring youthful, stout competition for the right guard spot, the answer for who could fill in for Martin may already be in Dallas.
Enter Brock Hoffman.
Undrafted out of Virginia Tech in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hoffman signed with the Cleveland Browns before being cut midway through his rookie season. Nine days later, the Cowboys added him to their practice squad where he has steadily made his way up the depth chart.
While he did not make the initial 53-man roster in 2023, Hoffman eventually was signed to the active squad shortly into the season. He played in all 17 games and started in twice.
In 2024, his presence was required. After Martin’s season-ending ankle injury in early November, Hoffman stepped into his place. He started the remaining seven games and allowed just one sack, according to Pro Football Focus.
Aside from the statistics, Hoffman created a reputation for getting into it with opposing players either verbally or physically after the play. It’s something, he says, that allows him to have the advantage over his opponent before they even snap the ball.
“I think we all feed off the energy in there with the s--t talk that I do,” Hoffman said during the season. “I think it just raises that bar of nastiness. It’s football, dude. It’s a violent game. If you want to run the ball in the National Football League, you got to hit people in the mouth. You got to move people.”
While his natural position coming into the NFL was at center, his comfort and rhythm at right guard was on full display down the stretch in 2024. Despite a season that saw the team fall short of expectations, Hoffman was a bright spot that could carry into the future.
Earlier this week, the Cowboys re-signed Hoffman on an exclusive rights free agent deal that will keep him in the building for 2025.
“I know it may seem like not a big deal to some being it’s a ERFA deal,” Hoffman told the Star-Telegram. “But when you’re an undrafted guy like me that’s had to fight for everything in this business, if a team likes you and wants to keep you around, that’s huge. I’m just ready to get to work with the guys and build the culture and identity of the 2025 Dallas Cowboys.”
A training camp competition is expected to happen for the open spot on the offensive line. In-house options that could contend with Hoffman include third-year Oregon product T.J. Bass, third-year North Carolina product Asim Richards and second-year Louisiana-Lafayette product Nathan Thomas.
But factoring in his play last season with a need for some nastiness under new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley, the Cowboys might already have their guy.
And he wears 67.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Nick Harris is the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He has experience working on the beat for DallasCowboys.com and previous work experience at Yahoo Sports/Rivals and 247Sports.