With CeeDee Lamb still holding out because of contract negotiations, it opens the door for other players to step up and take control of the wide receiver game. One of those players is Jalen Tolbert. Entering into his third season in the league, this could be a time for Tolbert to get in that practice for training camp.
Jalen Tolbert Looking at Future Breakout Season
Tolbert’s Stats
Tolbert was drafted as a third-round pick for Dallas back in 2022. Since then, Tolbert hasn’t had much experience in the league. Although he played all 17 games last season, he only totaled 22 receptions. He caught 61 % of the passes he was targeted for and gained 268 yards.
In his first season, Tolbert struggled then as well, playing only eight games for two receptions.
When Tolbert was in college, he managed 18 yards per catch with 82 receptions and 1,474 receiving yards. This is a significant difference from his first year in the league. The hope for Tolbert will be to show that he’s capable of stepping up come game time. A relationship with the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott, could be a great way to get there.
Prescott Complimented the Young Talent
In an interview with NFL Network with “Back Together Weekend,” Prescott mentioned Tolbert positively. Prescott acknowledged the fact that Tolbert has shown a lot of growth as a wide receiver, making a huge jump previously and projecting that he’ll make an even bigger jump this season.
With Prescott speaking well of Tolbert, it shows that there has been a growth in that relationship, especially without Prescott’s favorite target available.
What the Dallas Cowboys Need Offensively
In order for Jalen Tolbert to improve tremendously in this upcoming year, he’ll need to follow through on Prescott’s predictions. It isn’t easy playing next to a guy like CeeDee Lamb, who had the most yards after the catch for the league. But no one is expecting that of Tolbert.
The expectation is that Tolbert shows growth from where he was. A 500-receiving yard season could be more his speed. Right now, the Dallas Cowboys don’t have any dynamic wide receivers this year outside of Lamb. Jake Ferguson carried a lot of weight as an alternate target for Prescott but he’s a tight end running short routes.
What will be necessary for this team is someone who can go deep that isn’t only Lamb. This creates a weakness Tolbert could fill.
Although the Cowboys are likely to renew Lamb’s contract, they need somebody else, a second talent in the deep. Tolbert presents that for this offense, someone still in their rookie contract who can develop and improve in a similar way to Lamb. Without Lamb, it’s often projected that this Cowboys offense crumbles to pieces. To deter that, Tolbert must grow.
That’s where Tolbert can build himself as a reliable, second option for wide receiver and big plays downfield. If he can create those moments, he’ll solidify his importance on this team.
Tolbert Will Be One to Watch This Season
As preseason rapidly approaches, it allows Jalen Tolbert to show up for the Dallas Cowboys offensively. If contract negotiations are still in the air for Lamb, Tolbert has the opportunity to make a show of what he’s learned during training camp and over the past two years.
Instead of living in Lamb’s shadow, Tolbert can step out and make a name for himself on this offense for the first time. He’ll be one to watch for growth and elevation as a player. Because the Cowboys’ run game is so unstable, and because Lamb’s holdout could last a while, it’s a good option to have Tolbert on that offense.
Over the years, the Cowboys have let go of really good receivers. Michael Gallup was traded before retiring. Amari Cooper now plays for the Cleveland Browns. Tolbert has shown improvement every year and this could be the season for him to make a lot of noise.
The hope is that Tolbert now has a chance to join that conversation.
Main Image: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
