FRISCO — Jalen Tolbert calls Michael Gallup his little brother. The two sides met earlier this week after the receiver signed with Las Vegas.
Mr. Tolbert will be lonely without his friend. But Gallup's departure will allow the third-year pro to climb the wide receiver ladder with the Cowboys.
“It's special to have the opportunity to play a role in the offense and step up and make more plays for the offense and the team,” Tolbert said while participating in the Reliant Home Run Derby. told. charity work. “I look forward to continuing to grow every day so I can be the person the team needs me to be.”
A third-round pick out of the University of South Alabama, he had an underwhelming rookie season, appearing in just eight games and making just two catches. But Tolbert approached his job with renewed vigor last offseason. His progress has been remarkable.
Tolbert carved out a niche for himself on offense, finishing with 22 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.
'Flash It': How Jalen Tolbert became the Cowboys' most improved WR this offseason
Those are respectable numbers for a fourth receiver. But now that Gallup, the team's third receiver, has moved on, Tolbert's role should increase.
What are his expectations?
“Let's do something that a lot of people think I can't do and that I know I can do,” Tolbert said. “That's my goal, to go out there and prove to myself that I'm the person I say I am.
“Obviously, you hear that all the time. But just go out and chase greatness. I have two guys that I run with in CeeDee (Lamb) and Brandin Cooks, so they I look forward to following in his footsteps and doing what I can to add value to this team.”
Cooks protected the young receiver well.
“I've grown every day with the team,” Tolbert said. “Brandin Cooks came and mentored me and helped me a lot with understanding the game and what it takes to excel at this level. It's special to have him in my corner.
“One thing I know for sure: He's not going to fail me, and I'm not going to fail myself.
“That's a good situation.”
Watch David Moore on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) regularly during the offseason.
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott reacts when faced with Moneyball during the first round of the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott reacts before pitching during the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Caleb Null, 11, left, gets an autograph from Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott during the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Jacob Eatman, 8, left, receives a high-five from Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (back) shakes hands with players during introductions during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. . (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott fist-pumps as Prescott introduces him during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Running back Ezekiel Elliott (left). (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (back) shakes hands with players during introductions during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. . (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (center) reacts to a batter from the dugout during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. players. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks signs autographs for a young fan during the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott speaks with members of the media during the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys players, including quarterback Dak Prescott (center) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (right), participate in the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Watch the game from the dugout inside. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys players, including quarterback Dak Prescott (left) and running back Ezekiel Elliott (right), watch the game from the dugout during the annual charity home run derby. Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Riders Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks signs autographs for a young fan during the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks smiles while signing autographs for a young fan during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks high-fives a young fan while signing autographs during the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Young fans and Dallas Cowboys players pose for a photo during the annual charity Home Run Derby presentation Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dao Prescott high-fives a young fan as players leave the annual Charity Home Run Derby presentation at Riders Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. center). (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (left) and quarterback Dak Elliott remain in the dugout during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Prescott. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reacts after missing a hit during the final round of the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott hits a ball he spontaneously picked up during the final round of the annual charity home run derby at Riders Field in Frisco, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys player Sam Williams waves to fans as players leave the annual Charity Home Run Derby presentation at Riders Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. center). (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)A fan reacts to Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott tossing a T-shirt during the annual charity home run derby at Riders Field in Frisco, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys chases a home run during the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott throws a T-shirt to a fan during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys is greeted by the Mani AAC after hitting a home run during the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (right) reacts to quarterback Dak Prescott during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. . (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott reacts after missing a hit during the final round of the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott raises his bat to the crowd as he exits the field during the final round of the annual charity home run derby at Riders Field in Frisco, Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Brian Unger (left) of the Dallas Cowboys hands the bat to quarterback Dak Prescott during the final round of the annual charity home run derby on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Ryder's Field in Frisco. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (right) reacts to quarterback Dak Prescott during the annual charity home run derby at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. . (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (left) poses with the team's mascot, Rowdy, during the annual charity Home Run Derby presentation ceremony at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. You can see it passing in front of you. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott juggles the ball while walking to the awards ceremony during the annual charity home run derby held at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott juggles the ball while walking to the awards ceremony during the annual charity home run derby held at Ryder's Field in Frisco on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Shafqat Anowar/Staff Photographer)
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