The Dallas Cowboys receiving core took a hit last week, as it was reported that FA signing James Washington will miss up to 10 weeks while recovering from an injury he suffered on August 3rd in training camp. He, along with fellow wideout Michael Gallup, will begin the season on IR. The Cowboys, even after losing Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson to free agency, don’t seem to be too concerned. As Jerry Jones stated:

“Let’s give these young guys the incentive, our young receivers…We like these young guys.”

The opportunity is there for one of the young players on this roster to take hold of the number 2 receiver position as we enter into the preseason. A prime candidate for the role is Jalen Tolbert, the Cowboys’ third round draft pick out of South Alabama and was the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in 2021. In Tolbert’s final season in college, he produced 82 receptions for 1,474 yards and 8 touchdowns. Tolbert’s college status were nearly identical to Michael Gallup’s final season in college (100 receptions, 1,413 yards and 7 touchdowns) and hopes to have the same impact Gallup did before his injury.

At 6’1 and 195 pounds, Tolbert has all the physical statistics to take on the role as the team’s number 2 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys plan to use Tolbert at the “Z” receiver position and in the slot, hoping to take some of the burden off of Lamb and tight end Dalton Schultz. His rapport with Dak Prescott, by all accounts, has been outstanding. The trust from the coaching staff seems to be in Tolbert’s favor as well. With Washington and Gallup set to miss a large chunk of the season, Tolbert has a prime opportunity to make a name for himself as a downfield threat for a Cowboys offense that is lacking in that area.