3 Cowboys with the most on the line during training camp
By Randy Gurzi
1. Jalen Tolbert, WR
When the Cowboys traded away Amari Cooper, they were hoping to find some more affordable replacments to surround CeeDee Lamb with. They added James Washington in free agency and also used a third-round pick on Jalen Tolbert from South Alabama.
Washington, who never recorded a stat for America's Team, wasn't the player that excited anyone though. Tolbert, on the other had, did get fans and the coaching staff a little pumped up.
A smooth route-runner, Tolbert impressed many scouts leading up to the draft. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com was one of those who was really high on him, saying his talent and route running should help him develop into a "top-flight WR2."
"Silky smooth athlete who has morphed into a monster over the last two seasons. Tolbert is a high-character prospect with skill elements that are dripping with NFL potential. He gave work to everyone he faced, including SEC cover corners at Tennessee. His three-sport background offers unique perspective to pull from at his position, and his route-running gives him a leg up in camp battles early on. His traits, talent and production should push him up the board, and dialing up the competitive spirit could turn him into a top-flight WR2."
- Zierlein, NFL.com
As a rookie, Tolbert looked like anything but a polished route runner. He finished the year with just two receptions for 12 yards and the play that stands out most for him in year one was when he was called for a crucial offside penalty (which is also very rare on offense) in their overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert was called for offside. The problem was not that he failed to check with the down judge. It was that he waited. Tolbert didn't look over until 11 seconds left on play clock. Snap came at nine. He moved too little, too late. Learning experience for rookie. pic.twitter.com/xlt23GbBhh
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 14, 2022
Entering his second season, Tolbert finds himself no higher than fourth on the depth chart with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup ahead of him. The good news for him is that Noah Brown left, which could open the door. But the bad news, is the Cowboys have others gunning for his spot.
Simi Fehoko continues to impress whenever he gets a chance and KaVontae Turpin is trying to get on the field more with the offense in his second year with Dallas.
Tolbert isn't in danger of losing his job at this point but another year buried on the depth chart would feel like a death sentence.
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