There's a big misunderstanding about the Dallas Cowboys' problems at wide receiver ahead of 2025 NFL season

Jalen Tolbert is better than given credit for

To John's point, Tolbert did produce solid numbers in his third year in the NFL, scoring seven touchdowns and logging 610 receiving yards despite mediocre quarterback play most of the season. That's important to remember because the way some people talk about Tolbert makes it seem like he's a practice squad-caliber player and he's most certainly not. 

He's NFL-starting-caliber. He can win on one-on-one situations and is solid as a contested-catch receiver. However, the questions for the Cowboys offense are: Does Tolbert move the needle to alleviate the pressure Lamb faces on a weekly basis? Does he worry opposing defenses and help dictate or influence coverage? Despite the production, I'd argue not. 

Tolbert isn't what DeVonta Smith is to A.J. Brown—a fast receiver that usually requires defenses to assign safeties to help cornerbacks in coverage and that can put a lot of stress on defenses horizontally and vertically. He isn't what Tee Higgins is to Ja'Marr Chase or Jordan Addison to Justin Jefferson. 

To be that, Tolbert would need to create a lot more separation on a consistent basis and win in more ways when on the field. Now granted, that's something he could still develop, of course. And he has tools to think of him as a potential breakout player in 2025. But that brings me to. . .

The big misunderstanding about Tolbert and the Cowboys' WR2 situation

It's not about Tolbert not having a shot to compete for the job. It's about who he's competing against. Football is supposed to be a meritocracy and if Tolbert earns the job in training camp, all the best to him. But right now, he's competition is slated to be: 

• Jonathan Mingo, who has zero career touchdowns and 585 receiving yards in three years as a pro.
• Ryan Flournoy, a sixth-round draft pick entering his second year in the NFL. 
• KaVontae Turpin, an undersized player capable of making an impact but probably limited in terms of snap count.
• Parris Campbell, a veteran who has struggled to stay healthy at the NFL level and that has only one season of over 200 receiving yards since 2019. 

Let Tolbert compete for the job. Just ask him to beat better competition. If that's 31-year-old Amari Cooper or 33-year-old Keenan Allen, so be it. But right now, it won't take much from Tolbert to land the gig and that's not a good thing.