Cowboys Reveal Jalen Tolbert 'Locked-Down' Role on 53-Man Roster
Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert has been turning heads this offseason ever since the beginning of OTAs. It's been day after day of good production from Tolbert, and that's translated on the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Seattle Seahawks in the Cowboys' two preseason games.
While Dallas lost both outings, Tolbert would be the one winning, as many thought he was a certainty for the WR4 spot. As it turns out, COO Stephen Jones confirmed that on Tuesday The Star.
"Tolbert's locked down that four spot and certainly shown that he can be productive for us," Jones said. "Dak (Prescott) is very comfortable with him."
Many look at Tolbert's exploits this offseason in an "it's about time'' way, but Jalen was coming from a long way back after a poor rookie season.
Just two catches for 12 yards and a costly offside penalty against the Green Bay Packers to show for 2022 had many wanting Dallas to wash their hands of the receiver. ... never a very bright idea given his promise and affordable contract.
But with the help of the newly acquired Brandin Cooks, who took Tolbert under his wing, the second-year receiver set out on a redemption mission.
With Cooks' teachings (and a week-long trip to Oregon) and his now semi-famous notebook, Tolbert has transformed himself into a viable option on Mike McCarthy's offense.
Tolbert is now oozing confidence, is running crisp, clean routes, and is making play after play for Dak Prescott and the offense.
For Jones, Tolbert is simply a player who just needed a little time to show that he is the guy that Dallas hoped he would be last season.
"You got a guy like Tolbert who ended up needing a little time, then you get a veteran in the room with him like a Cooks, and now we're seeing what we drafted," Jones said. "That third-round pick has turned into something that we're going to have."
At the beginning of preseason, Tolbert was in a battle with Semi Fehoko and even KaVontae Turpin for the WR4 spot, but in limited time in two preseason games, Jalen slammed the door shut on any respective challengers.
But as for Tolbert "locking down" the WR4 spot, coach Mike McCarthy didn't seem to have the same line of thinking as Jones when it came to Tolbert's position on the depth chart.
“I’m not really there with depth charts, I couldn’t even tell you what it looks like,” McCarthy said. “That’s a PR thing, frankly. I understand where Stephen’s coming from, but I got bigger numbers in my head right now.”
Tolbert's redemption tour is off to a good start, but this is only the beginning, he now has to produce when the lights are at their brightest.
Week 1 against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football will be a good place to start if he is, in fact, in McCarthy's plans, as Jones seems to suggest.
COWBOYS FISH REPORT … now a podcast! Join us inside The Star, ANY TIME!
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Cowboys?
Follow FishSports on Twitter
Follow Adam Schultz on Twitter
Follow Cowboys / Fish on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cowboys Fish Report on YouTube for constant daily Cowboys live reports!
