Stop the debate right now. The Landry Hat series has done the heavy lifting, and the answer is clear: Zack Martin is the greatest Dallas Cowboys player to ever wear the No. 70 jersey. It hurts to say it out loud, but the facts back it up. This isn’t about ignoring the past. It is about recognizing who did the most with the number on their back.
The Impossible Choice
Ranking players is never easy, especially when the history runs this deep. According to The Landry Hat, the series examines the top Dallas Cowboys for each jersey from No. 0 through No. 99. That means every single spot matters. The author of the series has a rule that they would never have a tie. No ties allowed. Someone has to lose.
The Landry Hat lists Rayfield Wright as the runner-up for the best Dallas Cowboys player to wear No. 70. That is a massive honor, but it is also a hard pill to swallow for fans who grew up in the 1970s. During the Dallas dynasty of the 1970s, Rayfield Wright, a legendary right tackle, stood among the league’s premier offensive linemen. He built the foundation. He earned the respect.
Why Martin Wins the Day
So why does Martin get the nod? The stats don’t lie, and the consistency is unmatched. Zack Martin is listed as a guard who wore No. 70 for the Dallas Cowboys. He didn’t just show up. He dominated. Leonard Davis is listed as a guard who wore No. 70 for the Dallas Cowboys, but his time was shorter. From 2007 to 2009, Leonard Davis secured three straight Pro Bowl appearances. He also received a Second-Team All-Pro nod in 2007.
Those are great numbers for Davis, but Martin’s longevity and impact on the modern game push him over the top. The series looked at everyone. In 1989, Mark Stepnoski wore No. 70 as a rookie, then changed to No. 53 in 1990. Dale Hellestrae switched to No. 70 in 1992 and donned it for the next decade. The field was crowded. The competition was stiff.
But when the dust settled, Martin stood alone at the summit. The Landry Hat team made a call that respects the past while honoring the present. Rayfield Wright will always be a giant of the game. Yet, the number 70 belongs to Martin now.
