IRVING – Most NFL draft experts had the Cowboys taking a wide receiver in the first day.
Dallas wanted to pick a receiver but put a premium on defense in the first round.
Also, owner/general manager Jerry Jones likes veteran receivers Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens, who will be in their mid-30s by the time the season ends.
The Cowboys showed how much they value Patrick Crayton, their No. 3 receiver, when the team turned down several trade proposals leading up to the draft.
"We still have a lot of picks," said Jones alluding to today's seven selections in rounds 4-7.
Before Dallas selected Anthony Spencer with its first-round pick, receivers Robert Meachem of Tennessee and Dwayne Bowe of LSU, were high on the team's draft board.
Jones elected to go with Spencer with the hope of finding a wideout in the second round.
Dallas, which had the 53rd overall pick, wanted Steve Smith from USC, but he went to the New York Giants with the 51st overall pick. So, the Cowboys traded with Cleveland and drafted offensive tackle James Marten from Boston College.
Another receiver who was selected in the second round was USC's Dwayne Jarrett. Dallas also was interested in Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who went to the Colts in the first round.
"We knew we weren't going to have a sleepless night if we didn't come out with a receiver [on Saturday]," Jones said.
Instead, the Cowboys may try to find one today.
■ Marten second pick of the day: Dallas went with an offensive lineman with its third-round pick Saturday. Marten, (6-7, 309) a left tackle, was called tough by coach Wade Phillips.
Marten can play both tackle positions and guard.
Jones said the selection of Marten doesn't mean the end of starting left tackle Flozell Adams, who is in the final year of his contract.
But it provides the Cowboys with more depth on the offensive line.
"I'm excited to be given an opportunity, and I want to compete out there every day," Marten said. "[Adams] has had a great career, and he's a great player, and I hope I can learn from him."
■ Preseason schedule is set: After opening the exhibition season Aug. 9 vs. Indianapolis on Fox, the Cowboys will host Denver on Aug. 18 at Texas Stadium. Dallas travels to Houston for the Governor's Cup on Aug. 25 and closes the preseason Aug. 30 at Minnesota.
The Cowboys are scheduled to report to San Antonio for training camp on July 24, with the first practice July 25 or 26. The team will return to its Valley Ranch facility following the Colts' game because the Alamodome is hosting a boat show that starts Aug. 16.
■ Pick didn't fit: Dallas has not had a top-five pick since 2003, when they selected cornerback Terence Newman fifth overall.
The Cowboys had that chance Saturday, but Jones declined. While not divulging the team or the terms, Jones said the club asked for one of the Cowboys' top players.
"The combination of everything just didn't fit," Jones said.
Staff Writer Todd Archer contributed to this report.
