Who is the best guard in the NFL? Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons versus Zack Martin of the Cowboys

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons made a significant investment in Chris Lindstrom last spring, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history with a five-year, $102.5 million contract.

During the 2023 season, Lindstrom rewarded Atlanta’s trust.

Lindstrom started all 16 games he played in and was named to the All-Pro second team and the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season. He was Pro Football Focus’ top-rated guard in 2023, grading 87.5 as a run blocker and 78.6 as a pass blocker.

But is Lindstrom the best guard in the NFL? In 2022, he was PFF’s highest-rated player at 95.0… period… In an ESPN poll of coaches and managers around the league, the 2019 first-round pick was ranked No. 2, behind only Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys.

Lindstrom, who ranked seventh last year, finished in the top two with 44 percent of the vote and has numerous fans throughout the league.

“As a run blocker, he’s a little better off the field,” anonymous NFL defensive line coach Jeremy Fowler said on ESPN+. “I’d probably put him up against anyone there. And as a pass blocker, he’s improved enough that he’s solid there.”

An AFC executive added that Lindstrom has been their best guard for “a couple of years” and that his consistency – he started 66 of Atlanta’s last 67 games – has made him a mainstay of the Falcons’ burgeoning offensive line.

Last season, Lindstrom allowed just three sacks, two quarterback hits and 15 total pressure situations. He was penalized for seven times, an unusually high number for the 27-year-old, who only received six total penalties in his first four seasons.

But while Lindstrom is highly regarded both within the Falcons’ facilities and by many outside, there are differences in the assessment of the affection some have for the former Boston College star player.

“He was paid well because the team had to take care of him,” an unnamed NFC executive told ESPN. “No real downsides here, but not elite in my opinion.”

And this is where Martin comes into play in the debate about the position of first defender.

After five consecutive first-team All-Pro selections, Martin has long been the benchmark at the position – although he didn’t perform quite as well as Lindstrom in 2023. According to PFF, Martin allowed four sacks, seven hits and 22 quarterback hurries while being penalized four times.

During training camp last summer, Lindstrom heaped praise on Martin, calling him a future Hall of Famer.

“Zack is the best player in the NFL,” Lindstrom said in the summer of 2023. “I have more respect for Zack than anyone else – he’s phenomenal. He’s someone I looked up to when I came into the NFL, someone I’ve watched my whole career, and he’s someone I always try to play and always try to learn from.”

“But Zack is the best.”

Martin has not commented on Lindstrom, but the two have a good relationship. As two of the best players in the league, their paths have crossed at the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons.

So who is better?

Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference – for some, Martin’s seniority is key, while for others, Lindstrom’s emerging dominance is enough to take the crown.

But one thing is certain: Another chapter in the discussion between Martin and Lindstrom will be written in the fall, and the first lines are emerging shortly before training camp.