Individually, Chris Lindstrom enjoyed one of the top seasons for NFL guards – ever.
Helping the Atlanta Falcons pave their way to 324.1 yards per game, including 127 on the ground, Lindstrom helped establish a league standard. Aided by allowing just 15 quarterback pressures last season, the 2019 first-round draft pick graded out first among his peers, according to PFF.com.
Ideally, teams good enough to contend for a division title can depend on a tandem of guards working in unison.
Cowboys, Lions Fielding Intriguing NFL Guard Combinations
The challenge teams encounter attempting to discover one competent, hard-nosed guard remains daunting enough, but to uncover two? Good luck. The Dallas Cowboys did it with Zack Martin and Tyler Smith, boasting perhaps the league’s top duo. The Detroit Lions also appear to have an interesting, experienced combo in Graham Glasgow and Kevin Zeitler.
Here’s a look at two of the NFL’s most intriguing guard combinations entering training camp:
Tyler Smith is coming off an All Pro season in his second year in the league. He’s the best LG in the NFL. He’s going into year three with Zack Martin and Cooper Beebe in the interior. This #Cowboys OL is going to be dominant once again. pic.twitter.com/1COPsvUmKd
— Ernie The Cowboys Fan (@es3_09) June 5, 2024
Zach Martin-Tyler Smith: NFL’s Undisputed Top Duo
Since 2014, Martin has served as one constant along the Cowboys’ offensive front, consistent greatness. A future hall of famer, Martin reportedly contemplated retirement recently but decided not to depart on top of his game. Not yet anyway.
After surveying NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, ESPN ranked Martin, who turns 34 years old in November, as the league’s top interior offensive lineman – again.
After earning his fifth consecutive All-Pro first-team selection last season, Martin, who has missed only 13 games during his career, has proved durable, but he’s starting to show signs of slippage. Still, many league insiders contend he’s still the positional standard.
And the ideal mentor for Smith, a 2022 first-round draft pick who earned Pro Bowl status last season. With Martin and Smith fortifying the interior of the offensive line, the Cowboys paced the league with a 29.9 per game scoring average and ranked fifth with 371.6 yards per outing.
Martin yielded just four sacks, while Smith surrendered just one on 614 passing attempts last season as the Cowboys earned an NFC East regular-season title, but dropped a wild-card stunner to the visiting Green Bay Packers.
How will the Cowboys respond behind the proven interior of the offensive line in 2024?
Personnel around the NFL have named #Cowboys Zack Martin and Tyler Smith among the best interior linemen in the league.
Martin was No. 1, and Smith was an honorable mention (whoever ranked Martin 9th is on silly pills; there aren't eight better than him)https://t.co/fzUP3xod25 pic.twitter.com/2yDecFN8qU
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) July 13, 2024
Kevin Zeitler-Graham Glasgow: Lions’ Veteran Wall
Early free-agent concerns arose when left guard Jonah Jackson departed for the Los Angeles Rams. Any concerns over the Lions taking a step back along the offensive line after their breakout last season were quickly alleviated with the signing of Kevin Zeitler.
With the addition of the 13-year veteran and moving Graham Glasgow over to replace Jackson, the Lions’ unit could prove stronger as they defend their NFC North championship. A series of sportsbooks favor the Lions.
When looking at different situations, Zeitler jumped at a chance to work next to All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell and All-Pro center Frank Ragnow. Known as a strong run blocker, Zeitler also would apply his trade in front of one of the NFL’s top running back combinations, featuring David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Zeitler didn’t linger long on the free-agent market.
Earning his first Pro Bowl selection, Zeitler appeared in 97 percent of the Baltimore Ravens’ plays last season. He yielded three sacks and one quarterback hit in 1,102 snaps.
Durability has never been a question. Zeitler has appeared in 182 regular-season games, more than any other offensive lineman since he was drafted No. 27 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012.
With Zeitler teamed with under-rated Glasgow, the offensive line appears primed to lead the Lions beyond last season’s offensive production, including a third-place ranking in yards per game (394.8).
Glasgow, who also has experience playing center, returned to the Lions in 2023 after three seasons with the Denver Broncos. He earned a starting role and surrendered just two sacks.
Can he repeat the effort?
There's SO MUCH to like with this run from the Lions vs. Chargers game last season.
– C 77 Frank Ragnow does a great job picking up the ILB off the combo block.
– RG 60 Graham Glasgow sits and shows off good grip strength.
– RT 58 Penei Sewell using the inside hand on Joey… pic.twitter.com/dvecZrYkAx
— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) June 12, 2024
Main Photo: [Eric Hartline] – USA Today Sports
