T.J.

Bass

A lifelong Cowboy, Martin has opted to call it quits after 11 seasons. Few guards in NFL history have done it better than Martin, whose seven First-Team All-Pros are tied for 14th most in NFL history. Every player with seven or more All-Pro nominations is in the Hall of Fame, with the exception of the Rams’ Aaron Donald, who is likely to be a first-ballot nominee once eligible. Drafted with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Martin started all 162 games he appeared in during his career and appeared in 15 or more games in all but three seasons. Martin suffered an ankle injury in Week 11 that was later determined to require season-ending surgery. T.J. Bass, who remains under contract for next season and played 315 snaps at both guard positions last season, is first up on the in-house depth chart to replace Martin. It is possible Martin’s retirement creates yet another need the Cowboys will need to address this offseason.

Bass (6’4/321) was a 3-star recruit, and the top-ranked JUCO offensive guard in the 2020 recruiting class, from Deming, Washington. The Ducks’ left tackle is projected to be a guard at the next level due to his short arms and small hands. Luckily, Bass has experience on the interior as 13 of his 34 college starts were at left guard. The 3-time all-conference honoree is an experienced, wide, technician with the ability to anchor down against much quicker and stronger athletes. His pads tend to rise a bit too quickly upon engaging with a defender, but his hands still lead the whole movement to salvage a few wins. Bass is not the most mobile blocker and struggles to get to the second level quickly, although he wasn’t asked to do so on a regular basis in Eugene. He will need to take advantage of play leverage while utilizing his heavy punches to win snaps at the next level.