Dallas Cowboys: 3 players the Cowboys like more than the fans

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Ball, OT/OG

Josh Ball never had the support of the masses.

A fourth round pick from the 2021 draft, Ball came into the NFL amidst controversy. Domestic violence situations in his past made him an unlikeable character from the start. I’m the first to say I personally denounced the pick when it happened, even if he did look like a solid prospect on Day 3.

The Dallas Cowboys saw things differently. They saw a 6-8, 304 pound tackle prospect with elite length and starter ability. They saw value in the fourth round and were seemingly willing to look past off-field transgressions.

Ball redshirted his rookie year, and didn’t see real action until 2022 when he came in for the injured Terence Steele at RT. While he was stellar in the running game, he was abysmal in pass protection.  Something many people can never get over.

Ball gave up a sack and a pressure that day against Houston. He looked slow and clunky in his movement. Ill-suited for the tackle position. That said, he was a dominant run blocker who earned the praise of his head coach following the game.

That may be why the Dallas Cowboys are trying him at guard in 2023 and why they remain optimistic for his development. Ball has the size you can’t teach and like Edoga, he was good against the run and projects far better inside than outside.

Ball may be one of the most hated players on the Cowboys roster this season but the Dallas Cowboys don’t share those opinions. 2023 is make-or-break for the third year pro, but they remain optimistic about the player many scouts called “a steal.”

There they are. Players fans overlook that the Dallas Cowboys seem to like quite a bit.