4 Dallas Cowboys Players the Team Needs to Dump

The Dallas Cowboys are aware that they need to make significant improvements in order to progress beyond the Divisional Round, after witnessing their rivals win the NFC title, albeit not the Super Bowl. This includes making difficult decisions regarding free agents and veteran players who are no longer performing up to their salary level.

To achieve this goal, we examine the team’s roster and pinpoint three players who should not return in 2023 as the Cowboys aim to break their playoff curse, which has lasted since 1995.

4. Josh Ball

When the Dallas Cowboys selected offensive tackle Josh Ball in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, it caused some controversy. Ball had previously been involved in an accusation of dating violence while at Florida State University, which resulted in his departure from the program. Although he was never charged, he spent a year at Butler Community College before transferring to Marshall.

Despite the red flags, the Cowboys believed they had acquired a potential future starter. However, after two seasons, that seems like wishful thinking. When Tyron Smith was injured in the preseason, Dallas turned to Ball, who proved to be inadequate. He struggled with both run blocking and pass protection, prompting the coaching staff to bring in 40-year-old Jason Peters as a stopgap solution. In the end, they had to move rookie Tyler Smith to left tackle to compensate for Ball’s poor performance.

Looking ahead to 2023, the Cowboys will need a better swing tackle and there’s really no reason to continue with Ball after what he showed.

3. Anthony Barr

In 2014, the Dallas Cowboys scouted numerous potential pass rushers to fill the void left by DeMarcus Ware, who was recently inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Among the players they had their sights on was Anthony Barr, a product of UCLA, but the Minnesota Vikings selected him at No. 9 overall in the draft.

Dallas eventually traded up to select DeMarcus Lawrence in the second round, who turned out to be the impact player they were looking for. Barr, on the other hand, had a successful career with Minnesota but transitioned into a more traditional linebacker role, while Lawrence established himself as one of the best defensive ends in the league.

Despite this, the Cowboys remained interested in Barr and signed him to a one-year deal when he became a free agent in 2022. He played in 14 games with 10 starts, recording 58 tackles and one sack. However, his contribution was limited, and by the end of the season, he did more harm than good.

With Damone Clark back to full health, the team needed to give him more playing time, and it would have been better to give Jabril Cox more snaps as well. The team needed to prioritize speed on defense, which Barr did not provide.

2. Kelvin Joseph

The Dallas Cowboys had high hopes for Kelvin Joseph when they selected him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, with the intention of him becoming their second-best cornerback alongside their top pick from the previous year, Trevon Diggs. However, after two seasons, it is apparent that Joseph is not the player they expected him to be.

When Anthony Brown suffered a season-ending injury, Joseph was given an opportunity to prove himself, but instead, he allowed a 59-yard touchdown to Zay Jones and a 10-yarder to Marvin Jones, contributing to the team’s overtime loss against the Jaguars.

Moreover, Joseph struggled throughout the season, spending most of his time on special teams while being outperformed by fifth-round rookie DaRon Bland and 2021 third-round pick Nahshon Wright.

Joseph’s issues extended beyond his lackluster performances. He was frequently penalized while playing on coverage units, often costing the team valuable field position on returns.

Although it is challenging to admit a mistake in a draft pick, the Cowboys have demonstrated in recent years their willingness to do so, as they did with Taco Charlton and Trysten Hill. Therefore, they must take the same approach with Joseph, as his presence will hinder their ability to find a better option for the team’s needs.

1. Zeke has failed the Dallas Cowboys

In 2016, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick, and he quickly became a fan favorite. As a rookie, Elliott rushed for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns, which would have likely earned him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award had his teammate Dak Prescott not won it.

However, Elliott’s image took a hit in 2017 when he was suspended for six games due to a domestic violence allegation. Despite this setback, he continued to perform well and convinced the team’s front office to sign him to a six-year extension. This move has been criticized as an overpay, particularly as it forced the Cowboys to part ways with Amari Cooper due to salary cap constraints.

Despite Elliott’s declining performance, team owner Jerry Jones remains loyal to him, ensuring he sees plenty of field time and allowing him to score all of the team’s short-yardage touchdowns. In 2022, Elliott scored 12 touchdowns, but his efficiency was far from ideal. He averaged a career-low of 3.8 yards per carry and only ran for 876 yards, a personal low. By contrast, in 2017, he still managed to rack up 983 yards despite playing just ten games due to suspension.

Although Elliott has received $70 million of his contract, the Cowboys can afford to move on from him. There are rumors that the team’s front office will restructure his contract, but this would be a significant error since it is clear that it is time for the team to move on from Elliott.

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