Cowboys: Why Jalen Tolbert's preseason struggles don't matter
The Dallas Cowboys drafted wide receiver Jalen Tolbert in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Expectations are that Tolbert will play a big role in the offense right out of the gate. Tolbert starred at South Alabama and was considered a borderline top-50 player in the 2022 draft class. Therefore, the Cowboys got great […]
The Dallas Cowboys drafted wide receiver Jalen Tolbert in the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Expectations are that Tolbert will play a big role in the offense right out of the gate.
Tolbert starred at South Alabama and was considered a borderline top-50 player in the 2022 draft class. Therefore, the Cowboys got great value when they drafted him at No. 88 overall back in April.
Dallas needs Tolbert to develop very quickly. There is no room for error at wide receiver with question marks surrounding the unit. CeeDee Lamb is the only proven commodity with Michael Gallup and James Washington sidelined.
There is hope that Jalen Tolbert emerges for the Cowboys; however, the rookie has struggled in preseason action with drops and inconsistent play.
Why it's too early to panic
Because of the inconsistent and underwhelming play, some have begun to question whether or not Jalen Tolbert can be counted on. Dallas will need Tolbert to rise to the occasion and be a reliable player in the offense, at least early on in the 2022 season.
Jalen Tolbert reportedly has already earned the trust of Dak Prescott. That is certainly not insignificant. Tolbert has obviously shown Prescott enough to this point in the preseason.
Even despite some poor performances, Tolbert has had some bright moments. He has made big plays in practice for the Dallas Cowboys that showcase his playmaking ability. Additionally, it appears that Cooper Rush missed the rookie for what could've been a big touchdown in the preseason.
Furthermore, rookies always go through growing pains. Wide receivers certainly seem prone to that. It was during last year's preseason when there was a narrative forming that Ja'Marr Chase would be a bust.
It's safe to say that things certainly worked out for Chase.
Point is: be patient with Jalen Tolbert. While he has had struggles, he has also flashed promise.
“I feel like going up for a 50-50 ball, it’s not really 50-50 with him," CeeDee Lamb said of Tolbert during training camp.
It's way too early to count out Jalen Tolbert. The Dallas Cowboys will certainly be counting on the rookie during the 2022 season.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
