Cowboys guard Zack Martin receives first perfect Madden NFL rating
Dallas Cowboys lineman Zack Martin has made a name for himself at the guard position over the last nine years and on Wednesday, ESPN revealed that Martin is the first guard since Larry Allen in 2003 to receive a perfect Madden rating.
The Cowboys’ starting right guard will have a 99 when Madden NFL 24 comes out, joining, so far, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. ESPN will continue revealing the newest members of the “99 club” this week.
Martin is entering his 10th season in the NFL. Last season, he earned his sixth first-team All-Pro title. He also has two second-team All-Pro honors.
Coming out of Notre Dame for the 2014 NFL Draft, Martin had been a two-time captain for the Fighting Irish. The Cowboys selected him with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round. In his first season, he was the only rookie to make the first-team All-Pro list. He was also the first Cowboys rookie to make it since 1969.
In 2018, Martin signed a six-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys for $84 million. Over the past three seasons, he’s worked with the front office to convert his salary into signing bonuses to help with cap space.
Donald, Jefferson earn 99 ratings on Madden NFL 24
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald made history on Tuesday as EA Sports’ Madden NFL 24 unveiled his seventh perfect rating.
His seventh entry into the ’99 club’ surpassed Peyton Manning, the previous leader in the 99 club.
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The former first-round draft pick out of Pitt is heading into his 10th year in the league.
Last season, he posted five sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in 11 games. He suffered a high-ankle sprain that knocked him out in late November. It was the first time in his career that he’s missed more than a couple of games.
The 32-year-old defensive tackle is the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. He signed the deal that made him the highest-paid in June of 2022. He inked for three years and $95 million.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson became the first ’99 club’ receiver for his franchise this week, topping even Randy Moss with his Madden rating.
“Y’all have no idea what it means to be a 99 in Madden!!” Jefferson tweeted on Monday. “Since I was 7y/o I been creating my own player making him a 99 and now I don’t have to (mind blown emojis).”
Jefferson ranked second among all NFL wide receivers in short, medium and deep route running categories. His rating is far from a surprise given that the former LSU star has the most receiving yards of any NFL wideout over the past three seasons. Since his rookie season, Jefferson has posted 4,825 receiving yards, which is almost 400 yards more than the next-best, Davante Adams.