'I Am Building!' Impressive Jalen Tolbert Wins Cowboys Roster Spot?

Dallas Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert again impressed in the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks and, in doing so, might have locked up the WR4 position.

Entering the offseason, many eyes were firmly set on Jalen Tolbert for Dallas Cowboys coaches and fans. After a rookie season that seriously underwhelmed, many wanted to see some improvement in the former South Alabama star.

Well, we have gone from "We need to see it" to "Sit him in preseason anticipation of Week 1." 

In his two preseason outings, Tolbert hasn't just flashed, he's set Cowboy Nation alight with optimism. After his two-catch, 29-yard, one-TD effort against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tolbert again came out of the gate hot against the Seattle Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Saturday night.

The second-year receiver caught two passes for 50 yards in the first quarter that included a back-shoulder pass from Cooper Rush that Tolbert had to track and then haul in.

Tolbert could feel a little unlucky at not having his third completion of the quarter stand after picking up the ball off the turf; however, it was ruled incomplete.

Cowboys 2nd-year WR Jalen Tolbert putting the skillset on display 🔥 @Jalen8Tolbert

📺: #DALvsSEA on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySmuK pic.twitter.com/gX5IzNuFsT

— NFL (@NFL) August 20, 2023

Tolbert didn't stop there, as he would end his first half's work with four catches for 66 yards to fortify his increasing stock as a genuine NFL receiver.

“I am just building on what I have been trying to build on the whole training camp,” Tolbert said. “My takeaways can be play speed and being able to play faster than everybody else. Being decisive on my reads, adjustments or what I think I should do. Not thinking too much, just going out there and really trying to be comfortable and confident. That’s my takeaway from the game, and just continue to grow on that.”

We hear so much about the "second-year leap," and it is now, thanks to his rapid development, Tolbert might become a key member of this offense going forward. New Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks should be getting a nice pat on the back as well. It's been well-documented that Cooks has taken Tolbert under his wing since arriving in Dallas and is teaching him what it means to be an NFL receiver.

Entering training camp, Tolbert was in a battle for the WR4 position with KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Brooks and Simi Fehoko and, in the space of three quarters during the preseason games, has seemingly slammed the gate shut on any potential competition.

Is he now a key weapon that will give defenses headaches as they try to cover CeeDee Lamb, Cooks, Michael Gallup, and now Tolbert, who is oozing confidence? That may be a bit much. But ... with effective and crisp route-running, consistent receptions, and the ability to make plays when needed have seen Tolbert become one of the biggest success stories out of Cowboys training camp. And yes, he is "building'' something.

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