How Dallas Cowboys can deploy WR Jalen Tolbert ideally
The Dallas Cowboys' most exciting draftee might just wind up being their third-round selection. Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert will have a chance at competing right away, especially if Michal Gallup misses time after having ACL surgery earlier in the year. Tolbert has plenty of skills that should translate well into the NFL. At South Alabama, […]
The Dallas Cowboys' most exciting draftee might just wind up being their third-round selection. Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert will have a chance at competing right away, especially if Michal Gallup misses time after having ACL surgery earlier in the year.
Tolbert has plenty of skills that should translate well into the NFL. At South Alabama, he was mainly an X-receiver that consistently won vertically and showed strong hands. His ball skills for contested throws should have the Cowboys excited heading into the 2022 NFL season.
But Tolbert being a vertical kind of receiver doesn't mean that he has to line up on the outside every play. In fact, the 23-year-old receiver got reps in the slot as a senior in 2021 and did well at it.
So what's Jalen Tolbert's ideal deployment?
During the NFL Draft live stream for The Athletic, analyst Nate Tice outlined how the Cowboys can use Tolbert's tools right away. In the quote below, Tice is numbering receivers from the sideline toward the offensive line (#1 is the outside receiver).
"(Tolbert) is a vertical guy from the slot […] They're going to get him at the #3 spot. Speed of 3. Cowboys love flipping their receivers. Have a receiver at three, a tight end at two in a 3×1 formation, I can see Tolbert in there."
Pictured below is how the Cowboys have done this "flipping" of receivers mentioned by Tice. Although tight ends usually line up next to the offensive line, the Cowboys have Blake Jarwin at the #2 spot while Cedrick Wilson lines up at #3. This messes with the opponent's defensive structure and creates mismatches.
In the above play, Wilson runs a vertical route for a 37-yard gain. Tolbert is perfect for this role, as he has the physicality to play inside and the vertical skillset to threaten opposing defenses.
Although some have questions about his speed (ran a 4.49 in the Scouting Combine), he's able to gain separation in the deep game at a high rate.
For more on Jalen Tolbert, who was named an NFC breakout candidate by PFF, check out Sunday's A to Z Sports Dallas Primetime!
Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
