The Dallas Cowboys went heavy on the defensive side of the ball in the 2021 NFL draft, using their first six picks in that area. Offensive lineman Josh Ball, the 138th pick in the fourth round, broke that trend.

It hasn't been the smoothest road for Ball with the Cowboys so far, playing only 41 offensive snaps in his first two seasons. That's been exclusively at tackle, but during a pre-draft press conference on Monday, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that Ball will get work at guard and tackle in 2023, with the former being where he'll likely get the most snaps.

Whatever high hopes the Cowboys had for Ball as a rookie quickly went away after he suffered an ankle injury that cost him the entire season. In 2022, Ball was in the swing tackle role, and it didn't go well.

It started in the preseason game against the Denver Broncos. 

Ball was underwhelming at left tackle, to say the least. He did play in 13 games during the regular season, but Ball only logged 41 offensive snaps. Veteran Tyron Smith, who didn't play until December, was given the responsibility of that assignment and tallied 271 snaps because his play was significantly better.

The Cowboys continued their prowess of nailing first-round picks last year when they took Tyler Smith 24th overall. He had some struggles here and there but Smith proved that he could handle left tackle duties and even played 121 snaps at left guard. However, after the departure of Connor McGovern, there's still a need at the left guard spot.

Dallas signed veteran Chuma Edoga to a one-year deal last month. He played all of his 55 snaps last season (dealt with a knee injury) at left guard for the Atlanta Falcons. So, he'll be in competition with Ball for snaps, or even Terence Steele depending on the Cowboys' plans which can change at any moment. 

Ball will still get work at tackle, and the hope for the Cowboys is that he shows more than he did a season ago and that it translates to playing guard effectively as well.