Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert has been a slow burn since being drafted in the third round of the 2022 Draft.
His rookie season was one to forget (12 receiving yards), but under the guidance of veteran Brandin Cooks, Tolbert made a nice jump in Year 2 (268 yards, two touchdowns) before making a big jump in Year 3.
Tolbert finished with 610 yards from 49 receptions and a Cowboys-leading seven touchdowns, but despite that, all the news this offseason has been about Dallas getting an explosive No. 2 receiver for CeeDee Lamb.
Nevertheless, Tolbert's outlook for the season is the same as it has been the last two years - get better.
"Really just outdo myself," Tolbert said, announcing his plan to his critics. "I know what I can do, I know what I'm capable of. When opportunities come, just keep making the most of them and that's my goal, keep working, doing what I've been doing, and keep making strides, keep taking jumps and proving everybody wrong."
If the NFL Draft falls the way many think it will, Tolbert will enter training camp as WR3, which is the consensus "best" position for Jalen.
Having your third receiver post 600+ plus yards means your offense is in good shape, and last year, it was more by necessity that Tolbert was thrust into the WR2 role.
That likely won't be the case this season, but it doesn't appear to bother him, and training camp will again provide us with a good roadmap for what to expect from Jalen in 2025.
His third season saw his biggest jump, and with many doubting his ability to be a solid No. 2, maybe that's all the fire he needs to take his game up a level and prove "everybody wrong" in 2025.
