Dallas Cowboys fans entered last season with high expectations for then-rookie receiver Jalen Tolbert, and it's hard to blame them considering the success Jerry and Stephen Jones have had via the draft over the last decade.
However, Tolbert disappeared from scopes as the season progressed. And when he did take the field, there wasn't much to write home about despite the fact he signed a four-year, $5.13 million rookie contract with Dallas after being a third-round pick out of South Alabama.
But Dak Prescott is making sure fans know what to expect from the young receiver ahead of his second season. The Cowboys quarterback praised Tolbert at training camp in Oxnard on Thursday and revealed the improvements he's seen from him.
“So much growth," Prescott said. " ... This game is a confidence game. … He’s taken a huge step mentally. I think that’s going to jump out when you see him on the field.”
For a 24-year-old receiver that likely heard some of the negativity directed his way, improving the mental approach is arguably more important than perfecting the route tree. After getting your head cleared, the on-field stuff will fall into place.
Cowboys fans did have some understandable frustrations with Tolbert's play last season. No, he wouldn't have been the reason Dallas got to the Super Bowl instead of bowing out in the NFC Divisional, but a bigger impact than what he ended up giving was expected.
Tolbert struggled, recording just two catches for 12 yards despite being seen as a potential solid complementary receiver in the Dallas offense. He played a total of 89 offensive snaps and 53 special teams snaps before being inactive for the final five games of the regular season.
But if he's truly taken this "huge step" that Prescott speaks of, then the Cowboys could soon be getting the Tolbert they envisioned.
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