Dallas Cowboys wanted to draft Anthony Barr, Aaron Donald or Ryan Shazier

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Dallas Cowboys fans (from left) Karl Clemens and and Bret Hood and Patrick Thompson from New York and Jorge Espinosa from New Jersey react as the Dallas Cowboys select offensive tackle Zack Martin (Notre Dame) as the sixteenth overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft during the 2014 NFL draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

When the Dallas Cowboys were on the clock in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, everyone was watching closely to see if they would give in to temptation and select Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. The team ended up going with Notre Dame offensive lineman Zack Martin, but they had initially had another plan in mind.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Dallas was hoping to address their needs on the defensive side of the ball with their first pick.

The paper reports the Cowboys were hoping to have either UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald or Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier fall into their laps.

Ultimately, all three players were selected before Dallas had a crack at them — with Shazier going the pick before to the Pittsburgh Steelers — and they went with another need on the offensive side of the ball in Martin, who can play all five positions along the line.

The good news for Cowboys fans is that the team still addressed a big area of need that they hope will help them get over the 8-8 hump in 2014.

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