With the loss of Amari Cooper, the Cowboys needed to address the wide receiver position in the NFL draft. They did so in the third round, much like they did in 2018 with Michael Gallup, by taking Jalen Tolbert with the 88th pick.

Tolbert is expected to have a significant role with the Cowboys in year one, especially early since the aforementioned Gallup won't be ready for the start of the season, essentially making him WR2.

Last week the Cowboys held their rookie minicamp. Tolbert made his presence known right out of the gate, according to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

“He’s awesome,” Moore said. “I think he works his tail off. I think you can tell how prepared he is and how detailed he wants to be. I think he’s going to be a really good addition for us.”

Tolbert is 6'1 with 4.49 speed and a 36-inch vertical jump, which allows him to high point the ball and make contested catches. However, maybe his biggest asset is his versatility, as he lined up at every spot at wide receiver last season at South Alabama.

Although he has experience there, the slot is where Tolbert played at the least so it's naturally where he needs the most work going into his rookie campaign with the Cowboys.

“I need to work on more of the slot-type routes,” said Tolbert. “Usually, I’m the downfield deep threat receiver, and so now I need to be able to get consistent on whip routes and change of direction in the middle of the field and the box with the linebackers.”

Moore wasn't the only one that was impressed with Tolbert during rookie minicamp. Cowboys' head coach Mike McCarthy talked about what he saw from Tolbert after the first practice.

“He reminds you just on first impressions as far as his movement traits, he’s somewhere kind of between CeeDee and Cedrick Wilson,” Mike McCarthy said. “That’s his body type, and I think that’s a great comparable, and I think it illustrates what we’re looking for. When you have that type of skill set where you can come in here and have the ability to play inside and outside, I think it’s a real value.”

With the addition of Tolbert, the Cowboys have four options at wide receiver that can all line up at multiple positions. This gives Moore a lot of ingredients to work with to keep the Cowboys as an effective passing offense.

Moore spoke about the vision he has for the shiny new toy he has to work with.

“We’ll try to get him to learn as many spots as possible,” Moore said. “We’ll start him in a Z-type position, maybe play him in the slot. We’ll get him moved all around the field. We like to do that with a number of our receivers, so we’ll do the same thing with him.”

Moore has a plan for getting Tolbert prepared for his inaugural season in the pros. Things will intensify for the rookie though as the Cowboys get into OTAs next week and mandatory minicamp in June.

Feature image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports