The 2014 NFL Draft was a spectacle of hope and heartbreak, especially for Texas A&M Aggies fans who watched their stars shine bright under the draft’s glaring spotlight. Jake Matthews, the rock-solid offensive lineman, was snapped up by the Atlanta Falcons at sixth overall. Moments later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed wide receiver Mike Evans, cementing a historic moment for Aggie pride. But the draft’s real drama swirled around one name: Johnny Manziel, the electrifying Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback known as “Johnny Football.” Anticipation ran high for the Kerrville, Texas, native, whose dazzling college career had NFL scouts buzzing. Yet, when the dust settled, Manziel wasn’t taken until the 22nd pick by the Cleveland Browns—a slide that stunned fans and analysts alike. Even more shocking? The Dallas Cowboys, Texas’ own NFL powerhouse, passed on him at pick 16. Why did the Cowboys, led by the ever-bold Jerry Jones, turn their backs on the hometown hero?
A Texas Star’s Rise
Johnny Manziel was more than a quarterback; he was a phenomenon. Born in Tyler and raised in Kerrville, Manziel tore through Texas high school football, leaving defenders in his dust. At Texas A&M, he redefined the game, becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012. His improvisational brilliance, lightning-fast scrambles, and clutch throws made him a household name. By 2014, Manziel was projected as a top-10 pick, with some even whispering he could go as high as No. 1. For Cowboys fans, the idea of pairing Manziel with Tony Romo—either as a dynamic backup or a future starter—felt like destiny. So why didn’t Dallas seize the moment?
The Cowboys’ Dilemma
In the Cowboys’ war room, the air was thick with tension. Stephen Jones, the team’s executive vice president and son of owner Jerry Jones, later revealed the agonizing debate that unfolded. “It was nothing against Johnny Manziel, he’s a great competitor,” Jones told Sports Business Journal. “It was just, ‘Do you use your first-round pick?’ We had Tony Romo in the building, and so it was more about that. Do you create that kind of anxiety in the organization by bringing him in?”
The draft room fell silent when Manziel’s name came up. Heads bowed, voices hushed. Jerry Jones, known for his love of splashy picks and Texas-sized bravado, was clearly enamored with Johnny Football’s star power. But Stephen saw red flags—not just Manziel’s polarizing playing style, but the potential for off-field distractions and the pressure of thrusting a larger-than-life personality into Romo’s locker room. “Let’s talk about Johnny,” Stephen recalled saying, breaking the silence. “Dad, I know this is a hard thing because everybody knows you want Johnny, but I don’t think he’s the right guy for us.”
The Pivot to Zack Martin
With the 16th pick, the Cowboys made a choice that would reshape their franchise—and arguably the NFL. Instead of Manziel, they selected Zack Martin, a versatile offensive lineman from Notre Dame. It was a safe pick, some said, lacking the sizzle of Johnny Football. But Stephen Jones and the Cowboys’ brass saw something else: a cornerstone. Martin, who announced his retirement in February 2025, would go on to become one of the greatest guards in NFL history. With seven first-team All-Pro selections and more Pro Bowl nods than holding penalties, Martin anchored an offensive line that powered the Cowboys’ run game for a decade. Stars like DeMarco Murray and Ezekiel Elliott owe much of their success to Martin’s bulldozing blocks.
Manziel’s Fall, Martin’s Rise
Johnny Manziel’s NFL story, by contrast, is a cautionary tale. Drafted by the Browns, he struggled to translate his college magic to the pros. Off-field issues—partying, legal troubles, and a lack of discipline—derailed his career. After just two turbulent seasons, Manziel was out of the NFL, his potential unfulfilled. Meanwhile, Zack Martin became the gold standard for offensive line play, a quiet titan whose consistency and grit defined the Cowboys’ identity.
A Betrayal or a Bullet Dodged?
For some Aggies fans, the Cowboys’ decision felt like a betrayal—a Texas team turning its back on a Texas legend. Jerry Jones’ hesitation, swayed by his son’s pragmatism, left fans wondering what might have been. Could Manziel have thrived under Dallas’ spotlight, mentored by Romo and guided by a franchise that loves its stars? Or would his volatility have clashed with the Cowboys’ high-stakes culture?
In hindsight, the Cowboys’ choice was a masterstroke. Zack Martin’s Hall of Fame-worthy career stands in stark contrast to Manziel’s fleeting NFL flameout. The 2014 draft wasn’t just a moment of Aggie pride; it was a turning point for Dallas, proving that sometimes the smartest move is the one that lacks the headlines. Johnny Football may have been the spark, but Zack Martin was the foundation—and the Cowboys built a legacy on it.