Jalen Tolbert reflects on rookie year, looks forward to making impact in Year Two

Dallas Cowboys third-round draft pick Jalen Tolbert didn’t have the rookie season he was hoping for last year.

Playing in only eight games and catching two passes for 12 yards, the wideout’s season bore no resemblance to his final season at South Alabama before the draft. Tolbert caught 82 passes for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021.

Despite the lack of production on the stat sheet so far in Dallas, Tolbert believes he’ll show the “big jump” this season.

“Obviously last year didn’t go how I wanted it to or anybody wanted it to,” Tolbert told Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I’m taking it personal. I’m looking forward to proving everybody wrong. Obviously, I hear a lot of [criticism], so I love it.

“I didn’t have the year that I wanted, and I take full responsibility for it. I’m looking forward to making that Year 2 jump and continuing to work and build chemistry and continue to do positive things on and off the field with these guys. I’m excited for this year.”

Tolbert showing signs of Year Two jump

Tolbert believes that by expanding his knowledge and comfortability with multiple positions on the field, he can return to just being himself – not overthinking.

“Speed and everything is a strong point of mine, so being able to go out there and threaten [defensive backs] vertically with my speed and selling routes,” Tolbert said. “Sometimes I was timid running routes and wasn’t really myself in a way.”

According to Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, Tolbert is already showing signs of that step forward in year two.

“You can see his comfort and his ability to do what we’re asking him to do,” McCarthy said at OTAs. “Jalen’s made some nice plays, particularly in 7-on-7.”

On his path back to being himself on the field, Tolbert’s leaned on the advice of veteran newcomer Brandin Cooks. The young receiver shared that Cooks’ best advice to him so far has been to “flush” his rookie year and have fun in Year Two.