Cowboys' Dak Prescott has forged 'super' trust with WR Jalen Tolbert: 'No telling how great he can be' (2024)

No matter how the final Dallas Cowboys depth chart plays out, there figures to be plenty of Jalens getting targeted by Dak Prescott.

It's Tolbert, though, who is turning heads and seems to have the edge on solidifying the team's WR3 spot.

Among those he's impressed is his quarterback, who lauded the young wideout's commitment, professionalism and newly found approach.

"We had a great conversation about roles, about what individual roles that we have and what they [are] to the team," Prescott told reporters Friday. "I remember he particularly lays out what he thinks his role was and I just told him, 'Your role is to go show that you can be a No. 1 receiver. At minimal, a No. 2 receiver.'

"He's approached this camp with that intensity, with that mindset and he's made exactly those kinda plays practice after practice. I know he's given me tons of confidence in him and I know his confidence is growing and the play-callers have confidence in him to keep feeding him the ball."

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Provided all eventually works out with the contract holdout of CeeDee Lamb, the team's unquestioned No. 1 and one of the league's best, the Cowboys have veteran Brandin Cooks slotted at No. 2 and Tolbert now the front-runner for the No. 3 spot. However, his mindset of being a No. 1 and his skill set have created buzz and drawn anticipation all offseason.

With the team now in Oxnard, California, for its annual training camp sojourn, the Cowboys hype wagon for Tolbert is still going strong.

Much of it can be attributed to the time Tolbert, 25, has put in this year with Prescott.

"Anytime I wanted to throw, he was there," Prescott said.

Chemistry-building with Prescott can be a key to success, according to the quarterback, who like Lamb is looking for a contract extension.

"Every year, the guy who I feel like I spend the most time with in the offseason goes and has a huge year," Prescott said. "So, I don't want to put that pressure on him, but we spent a lot of time together. Last year it was CeeDee; I'm not going to say he's gonna have a CeeDee-type year as he did last year.

"It's usually been a young guy that anytime I send that text message out, they're there. Doesn't matter what time, what day. That was Tolbert this offseason. And Jalen Brooks, as well, I gotta make sure I give him his credit."

Tolbert's clearly putting in the work as he approaches his third season, which is unquestionably the one in which he's garnered the brightest spotlight so far.

A South Alabama product taken in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Dallas, Tolbert caught just two balls on three targets during an eight-game rookie season. His usage and production greatly increased last year, as he played in all 17 games with six starts, 22 receptions, 268 yards and his first two touchdown catches.

"He's had a helluva camp and obviously he had a helluva year last year. The trends in the same direction to make another jump," Prescott said.

Through two seasons and an offseason that by Prescott's account seems to have been more pivotal than any of Tolbert's game showings, the young wideout has built a faith with his signal-caller that's somewhat stunning given the experience level.

"My trust is super, super high in him," Prescott said. "I trust him with any route, wherever it is against whoever."

At the podium Friday, the kind words and optimism for Tolbert overflowed from Prescott. Nonetheless, the 31-year-old face of the Cowboys still had some tough love and hard truth for the still-green receiver.

"I'll tell him, I'm sure if he watches this and I'll tell him to his face, he hasn't done anything yet," Prescott said. "Another guy that I'm not going to put a ceiling on what his potential can be. 'Cause as long as he continues to approach the game the way he has, with the intensity, with the focus and with the expectation to be a No. 1 guy, no telling how great he can be."