Dallas Cowboys 2022 Draft Grades: Fan anger/coach jubilee/time will tell

With the 88th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys select

Jalen Tolbert, WR

6-1 194lbs.

Slot: 164 snaps

Wide: 322 snaps (mostly at X)

Successful teams need top-100 picks to hit. While it’s impossible to eliminate mistakes, it is imperative teams win at a high rate on their picks made over the first two days of the draft. After that, the odds of them becoming starters one day drop considerably.

This need to maximize top-100 picks is especially true for the Dallas Cowboys who have put all of their roster-building eggs in their draft basket. With Amari Cooper now catching balls for Cleveland, the Dallas Cowboys have a need at WR. They addressed it with their third round pick.

Jalen Tolbert, a player comparable to Dallas’ Michael Gallup, was a steal at 88. Rated by Dane Brugler as the 59th best player in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys maximized draft value, addressed a position of need, and used one of their top-3 picks on a high value position.

If you’re counting at home, those are notches in three columns.

Tolbert didn’t play against the stiffest of competition at South Alabama but his usage rate indicates he’s the real deal and his play against big teams shows his skills translate. Tolbert has over 30% market share in receiving yards and TDs and his 16 deep receptions in 2021 ranks 6th in the class.

Because of his age (23) and level of competition, he comes with added risk. But that risk is matched with reward because Tolbert comes with a good understanding of the route tree. He has wiggle to his game and natural feel in man and zone. His enormous hands and ability to high ball makes him an asset in contested catches.

Again, level of competition is a concern but when he did face top college talent he did well. Against Tennessee he caught seven balls for 143 yards and a touchdown, indicating he rises to the challenge and isn’t just a product of poor competition.

Grade: A-