During the 2022 offseason, the Dallas Cowboys recognized the need for an additional wide receiver to support CeeDee Lamb and the now-retired Michael Gallup.

They selected Jalen Tolbert from South Alabama in the third round, who had just earned the title of Offensive Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference.

Tolbert entered the NFL with experience playing various receiver positions in college, making him an intriguing prospect with significant potential.

As a late Day 2 draft pick, expectations weren’t high for Tolbert to make an immediate impact.

However, the WR3 role was open, and he was viewed as a suitable candidate to fill it. Unfortunately, his rookie season was challenging; he recorded only two receptions in eight games.

Heading into the 2023 season, it was clear that Gallup wasn’t fully recovered from his ACL injury, providing Tolbert a chance to compete for the WR2 position.

The situation became more complex with the signing of veteran Brandin Cooks, which relegated Tolbert to the fourth spot on the depth chart.

Despite this setback, Tolbert saw the field for 477 snaps and began to develop a rapport with quarterback Dak Prescott as the season progressed.

He showcased his potential by achieving a perfect catch percentage in four games, finishing the season with 22 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cowboys decided to move on from Gallup in the offseason, offering Tolbert another opportunity to secure a significant role in the passing game.

He emerged as the favorite for the WR3 position, and in recent games, Tolbert has proven to be a reliable option behind Lamb.

He caught all three targets against the New York Giants and then had a breakout performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In that game, Tolbert set personal bests with seven receptions for 87 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown with just 20 seconds remaining.

For the season, Tolbert has recorded 20 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns, with 12 of those catches resulting in first downs.

With Cooks sidelined for a few more weeks due to a knee injury, Tolbert has the chance to solidify his role as the Cowboys’ second receiving option.

Cooks is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, so it’s crucial for Dallas to establish a solid WR2 option for the future.

Following the win over the Steelers, Tolbert expressed his eagerness to seize the opportunity he has been waiting for.

“I work hard for this. Obviously, God has given me the talent and ability to continue to improve, and I give Him all the glory for it.

I’ve been working for years for this, waiting for my opportunity and for the chance to get more offensive snaps or targets, whatever it may be,” Tolbert stated.

He emphasized the importance of being prepared for when that opportunity arises, highlighting how they focused on that all week.

As Tolbert continues to perform well, he will gain confidence, and Prescott’s trust in him is likely to grow as well.

The signs are positive for Tolbert, and the Cowboys are in dire need of his contributions, especially given their current struggles with the running game.

With Cooks out, Tolbert has a prime opportunity to demonstrate his skills and solidify his place in the offense.

His recent performances suggest that he is more than capable of stepping up and filling the void left by Gallup and the injured Cooks.

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Tolbert to see if he can maintain this upward trajectory and become an integral part of the Cowboys’ passing attack.

The team is counting on him to emerge as a key player in their offensive strategy moving forward.