What Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert was going through last season as inactive games became more frequent than active ones had to be hard. Although he was drafted in the third round, expectations around him were higher than usual for two reasons.

1) He was seen as one of the "best value" picks in the Cowboys' draft class and 2) the team had a big need at wideout.

Things didn't pan out quite how Tolbert or the coaches wanted to as the former South Alabama standout finished the season with just three targets in 89 offensive snaps. However, it seems the Cowboys' second-year wide receiver is ready to move on from a disappointing rookie year.

"During the season it was kind of hard to put it past me," Tolbert told reporters on Thursday.

It wasn't until earlier this year that the wide receiver got a chance to catch his breath and really settle down. Dak Prescott aided him by gifting him a book priced at $18 dollars which Tolbert believes helped him to turn the page and move forward into the 2023 offseason.

"But after the season when I had time to actually sit down, you know, I read a book 'Relentless," Tolbert revealed. "Dak actually bought it for me, by Tim Grover I read it, highlighted it, and kind of looked to how other guys you know deal with the obstacles mentally, so I actually sat down and did that."

Grover's book is described as a read that reveals "what it takes to achieve total mental and physical dominance, showing you how to be relentless and achieve whatever you desire." The author has worked with sports legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade.

Of course, Tolbert has many more hurdles to overcome to turn around his career following a slow start. But his comments go a long way in reflecting on one of the toughest aspects of the transition from college to the pros. Mentality is key to success on Sundays. It's not just about being able to run this or that route but about being in the right place mentally.

Tolbert's time in the Senior Bowl around his family and friends helped him "revert into being that dude."

That's not to say he hasn't been working on his football skills, however. 

"Obviously Dak hit me about running routes and then jumping straight into it and then working in building on that ever since, so, definitely this offseason, I flushed it and I'm ready for next year," said Tolbert.

What's next for Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert?

Nothing will be handed to Jalen as he tries to put together a breakout season while competing for the "WR4" on the team. Simi Fehoko is putting together another good offseason and DallasCowboys.com insider Patrik (No C) Walker said it's Fehoko who has the lead in the battle right now during his segment with Will Steele on A to Z Sports Dallas Live. 

Tolbert understands exactly what he needs to work on.

"I could feel myself just not confident in everything," explained the young wide receiver. "Sometimes you know, maybe I have to go to (play) X or Z or Y or whatever. And I wasn't as confident at that certain time at that spot. So I would start thinking and then obviously as I said, once you run out you think about splits, depth, coverage, you know, play being snapped so now you're not playing as fast as you want to, and then a cover switch and they disguise it."

Tolbert has been wise enough to recognize the fact that he didn't fully get it, which enabled him to talk to some of the veterans to try and get some help from those who have done it for years now. 

That includes veteran WR T.Y. Hilton, who was a late addition to the team last season and currently remains a free agent. 

"T.Y. helped me a lot last year," revealed Tolbert. "We talked about his situation and how he became who he was. So just having those older guys to be able to give me guidance and you know, talk with me it was big."

Now, it's up to him to translate that into the playing field. The stakes are high for the rookie and he knows it. He's certainly one of the biggest storylines of this offseason. 

Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports