Dak Prescott Challenges Cowboys Young Star “Be the No. 1 Receiver We Need
with one young wide receiver with the Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott has great expectations. The seasoned quarterback made it very apparent to reporters on Friday, August 2, that Jalen Tolbert, a third-year wide out, needs to adopt the mentality that he is a No. 1 receiver.
The message from Prescott comes at a time when the Cowboys are looking for a receiver to step up behind seasoned players CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. Prescott added, “I told him your job is to go show that you can be a No. 1 receiver.” “A No. 2 receiver, at the very least. He came to this camp with that level of focus and determination.
Jalen Tolbert Has Failed to Make Impact Through First 2 Seasons
In2022, the 25-year-old Tolbert was selected in the third round of the draft and was expected to become a serious threat. But he hasn’t had much of an effect and has had trouble getting regular playing time.
Tolbert showed a little bit more potential in the 2023 season, recording 22 receptions for 268 receiving yards and two touchdowns, after only managing just two grabs for 22 receiving yards in his rookie campaign.
Even still, given that Tolbert participated in all 17 games and saw action on 40% of the offensive snaps, that output is still lackluster. With veteran wide receiver Michael Gallup no longer an option, Tolbert will be the overwhelming favorite to start at wide receiver in training camp.
Furthermore, Tolbert has had greater reps and practice time as he works to improve his relationship with Prescott as a result of Lamb’s absence from training camp owing to his holdout for a new deal.
We spent a lot of time together, and I don’t want to put that burden on him. I have the utmost faith in him,” says Prescott of Tolbert. “I trust him against anybody, any route, wherever it is.”
Dak Prescott Says There’s No Ceiling on Jalen Tolbert’s Potential
Throughout his career, Prescott has had the opportunity to play with a number of excellent tight ends and receivers. Prescott has been the team’s starting quarterback since 2016, and he has completed passes to players like Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and now Lamb.
The 31-year-old quarterback obviously thinks highly of Tolbert as the Cowboys want to add another reliable receiving threat to their repertoire.
“He hasn’t done anything yet, and I’ll tell him to his face if he watches this,” Prescott remarked. “An additional individual whose potential I will not limit.” Because there is no knowing how amazing he can be as long as he keeps playing with the same energy, focus, and expectation of being the best player in the league.
Prescott is giving Tolbert a lot of praise early in training camp; we’ll see if he can live up to that. Tolbert is the favorite to take the No. 3 spot, but he will face competition from players like Jalen Brooks, a second-year player, KaVontae Turpin, a Pro Bowl special teams player, and Ryan Flournoy, a sixth-round pick.
