Under head coach Mike McCarthy, the Dallas Cowboys have led the NFL in scoring offense twice in the past three seasons. Leading the charge has been quarterback Dak Prescott and an elite passing attack. Superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb and company have continued to elevate Prescott’s play in recent years, with the signal-caller leading the league in passing touchdowns circa 2023. A deep receiving core continues to pay dividends for the Cowboys, and the same will ring true next fall.
Alongside Lamb, Dallas will also deploy veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, forming one of the more productive duos in the NFL. However, they will need a solid showing from a third wideout to remain the class of NFL offenses and look no further than former third-round selection Jalen Tolbert. A 25-year-old from South Alabama, Tolbert reflected on his two years in the NFL when speaking to the media on Thursday. He heads into next season as a potential full-time starter for the Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert: Talks Tenure with NFC East Club
Jon Machota, a Dallas Cowboys writer for The Athletic, remains plugged in on the team as they partake in OTAs this summer. A day after sharing head coach Mike McCarthy’s thoughts on backup quarterback Trey Lance and the status of star defender Micah Parsons, Machota talked to wideout Jalen Tolbert on Thursday. Tolbert played a semi-decent role last season and could make a massive impact on the Cowboys this year after being an afterthought in his rookie season in 2022. Tolbert expressed a need for confidence, which greatly influenced his performance last season.
Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert: “My rookie year, I think I lost almost every bit of my confidence. Coming off a hamstring injury in OTAs and then trying to catch up, and then just moving around, playing every (WR) spot, I was thinking way more than I should instead of just going out…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 23, 2024
In my rookie year, I lost almost every bit of my confidence. Coming off a hamstring injury in OTAs and then trying to catch up, and then just moving around, playing every (WR) spot, I was thinking way more than I should instead of just going out there and having fun, knowing that I belong here, that I’m valuable at this level and can play very high at this level. That’s something that I had to build back up. … It’s completely different now. It’s a 180. I’m confident. I’m having fun,” said Tolbert, according to Machota.
Tolbert took a different approach when gaining back his confidence. “Tolbert said, Watching college tape and seeing what I did in college and understanding that I’m that guy and I can be that guy at this level.”
Tolbert: Solid Second Season
Tolbert struggled to produce as a rookie in 2022, catching just two passes for 12 yards despite his third-round status. However, he made massive strides last year, playing in all 17 games while starting six. The South Alabama product registered 22 receptions, 268 yards, and two scores as a solid secondary option for quarterback Dak Prescott. He received two targets in the team’s lone playoff game but failed to catch either.
With the Dallas Cowboys parting ways with fellow pass-catcher Michael Gallup this season and not selecting a wideout until the sixth round of last month’s draft, Tolbert could find himself starting in three-receiver sets alongside star CeeDee Lamb and veteran Brandin Cooks.
For More Football News:
For More Football News and to engage in further discussion, follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. I’m always open to your thoughts and insights. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!