Zack Martin 1, Quenton Nelson Falls to 3 in Top 10 NFL IOL Rankings by Coaches, Execs

Dallas Cowboys offensive guard Zack Martin led the way in a poll of the best interior lineman in the NFL conducted by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

"He's maybe declined physically a little bit due to age, but he's so smart and so instinctive that he makes up for any physical shortcoming," one NFL executive said to Fowler.

Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Quenton Nelson occupied the top spot in 2022 but slipped to third.

"He must have been more hurt than he let on, because I refuse to believe he suddenly became a bad player," a fellow lineman said to Fowler. "There was a lot going on with that team last year, a lot of issues around him."

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Top 10 Interior Lineman

1. Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys 
2. Joe Thuney, G, Kansas City Chiefs 
3. Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts 
4. Elgton Jenkins, G, Green Bay Packers 
5. Joel Bitonio, G, Cleveland Browns 
6. Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles 
7. Chris Lindstrom, G, Atlanta Falcons 
8. Creed Humphrey, C, Kansas City Chiefs 
9. Brandon Scherff, G, Jacksonville Jaguars 
10. Frank Ragnow, C, Detroit Lions

Source: Poll by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler

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Jacksonville Jaguars offensive guard Brandon Scherff had the biggest fall after going from third in 2022 to ninth. In May, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport listed Scherff as the most overrated interior lineman in the league, citing in part how the five-time Pro Bowler allowed more sacks in 2022 (six) than he had between 2018-2021.

Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Lindstrom was perhaps the most polarizing player on the list. At least one person interviewed by Fowler ranked Lindstrom No. 1 overall, while another had him unranked entirely.

The 26-year-old made his first Pro Bowl in 2022 and was the highest-graded guard on Pro Football Focus at the end of the year.

"Really good player, technician—the only thing holding him back from the top, top tier is he's a bit dependent on the [zone blocking] scheme he's in," a personnel evaluator said to Fowler. "I don't know if he would be as good if he was in another scheme."

While Fowler's poll represents a subjective pursuit, Lindstrom is first in one important objective category. He signed a five-year extension with the Falcons this offseason that gives him the biggest average salary ($20.5 million) for an interior lineman.