IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys are down to just one unsigned draft pick, as they reached a four-year deal with first-round pick Zack Martin on Monday.
The Cowboys took Martin 16th overall during the first round of the NFL draft on May 8. The Indianapolis, Indiana, native set a Notre Dame record by starting all 52 games of his college career – most of those coming at left tackle.
The selling point that made Martin such a highly-touted pick is that he has the flexibility to play all five positions along the offensive line, and that has proven true to this point. After playing tackle in college, Martin has been the Cowboys' starting left guard during Organized Team Activities, but he did some limited work at center last week.
The details of Martin's deal aren't known as of yet, but last year's No. 16 pick, quarterback E.J. Manuel, received a four-year deal worth $8.8 million. Manuel got a $4.8 million signing bonus along with that contract. Martin can likely expect something similar. [embedded_ad]
Martin is the third offensive lineman in the last four years to be taken by the Cowboys in the first round. Left tackle Tyron Smith was the team's No. 9 overall pick in 2011, and center Travis Frederick was taken 31st overall in 2013.
The Cowboys have typically worked backward in signing their draft picks in recent years, starting with their late-round picks and finishing with the highest selection. Martin actually signed before second-round pick DeMarcus Lawrence, making Lawrence the last unsigned draft pick.
All five of the team's seventh-round draft picks – Ken Bishop, Ben Gardner, Will Smith, Ahmad Dixon and Terrance Mitchell – their rookie contracts within two weeks of being draft. Fifth-round pick Devin Street also signed his deal at the end of May.
Fourth-round pick Anthiny Hitchens signed his deal on June 2 – just one week after starting middle linebacker Sean Lee went down with a torn ACL.
