Who is the best running back in the NFL? Atlanta Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom vs. Cowboys’ Zack Martin

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

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

As a starter in all 16 games, Lindstrom was named a second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl nominee for the second straight season. He was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded point guard in 2023, with grades of 87.5 as a run blocker and 78.6 as a pass blocker.

But is Lindstrom the best back in the NFL? In 2022, he was the highest-graded player by PFF… period… with a grade of 95.0. In an ESPN poll of league coaches and executives, the 2019 first-round pick came in second, behind only Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys.

Lindstrom, who was ranked No. 7 last year, received top-two votes on 44 percent of ballots and has a strong fan base across the league.

“He’s slightly better than he is on the field as a run blocker,” an unnamed NFL defensive line coach told Jeremy Fowler on ESPN+. “I’d probably put him against anybody there. And he’s improved enough as a pass blocker that he’s solid there.”

An AFC executive added that Lindstrom has been its best guard in “a couple of years” and that his durability – starting 66 of Atlanta’s last 67 games – has made him a vital part of the Falcons’ rising offensive line.

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

But while Lindstrom is well-liked both within the Falcons facility and by many outside it, there are variations in the affection some have for the former Boston College standout.

“He got paid a lot of money because the team had to take care of him,” an NFC executive told ESPN on condition of anonymity. “There’s not really a negative there, but he’s not an elite player in my opinion.”

It is here, in the debate over guard post number 1, that Martin enters the scene.

After being named a first-team All-Pro five times in a row, Martin has long been the go-to guy at the position — though in 2023, he hasn’t been as successful as Lindstrom. According to PFF, Martin has allowed four sacks, seven quarterback hits and 22 quarterback pressures while being flagged four times.

During training camp last summer, Lindstrom praised 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 first came into the NFL, watched my whole career, and he’s someone I always try to play like and always try to learn from.”

“But Zack is the best.”

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

So who is the best ?

It’s ultimately a matter of preference: for some, Martin’s seniority trumps it, while for others, Lindstrom’s emerging dominance is enough to claim the crown.

But one thing is for sure: Another chapter in the Martin vs. Lindstrom conversation will be written this fall, with the first lines looming as training camp approaches.