Dallas Cowboys rookie Jalen Tolbert expecting 'big leap' in Year 2

Dallas Cowboys third-round draft pick Jalen Tolbert had an admittedly disappointing rookie season. Playing in only eight games and catching two passes for 12 yards, the wideout’s season wasn’t what he or the Cowboys were hoping for after a stellar career at South Alabama.

Despite the lack of production on the stat sheet, Tolbert still had a productive learning year that he believes will result in a “big jump” next season.

“I think everything is a learning experience,” Tolbert said this week at the Senior Bowl. “People look at this year as a down year for me or whatever the word might be out there, but for me, I learned a lot and learned what I need to do to be an elite talent in the league and how to help our team next year.

“I’m excited for the offseason as well as the coaches are for me, to take that next step and have a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2. I’m excited to go in and have a different feel and know exactly what I need to do and what’s asked of me and just be comfortable and play like I played here at South (Alabama) and have that confidence.”

The No. 88 overall draft pick will workout with teammate CeeDee Lamb during the offseason. Lamb led the Cowboys in receiving yards for the second time in 2022 after going No. 17 overall in 2020.

Tolbert believes that with a year under his belt and a new comfortability with playing multiple positions on the field, he can prove his supporters right, and his doubters wrong.

Tolbert working on positional versatility for Year 2

“With every step you take, you go into a different view of life and a different view of football,” Tolbert said. “I had to learn the business side of stuff, the position side of things – I had to learn multiple positions. I had to learn a lot of stuff. Now I know what to work on, what I need to do and where I need to be, what positions I need to know, now I can go into next year and not have to learn and play at the same time but just go out there, be comfortable and confident and just go play and show why I got drafted.”

Tolbert caught 82 passes for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago at South Alabama. He even won the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year Award. Dak Prescott could definitely use another weapon and according to Tolbert, he’s ready to be that for Dallas in 2023.

“The coaches are excited about me being able to retain the information and play three to four positions,” he said. “Being able to play inside and out is going to help me in the long run. Like I said, this rookie year is by far the worst that I’ve had and far from what I wanted for myself. But I know that I needed it, God knows I needed it and the coaches know that I needed it.

“It’s a time for me to be able to adjust and get a grip for all positions and in the future, I can play inside and out and play wherever they ask me to play. I’m excited to continue to grow there and continue to work.”