When the Cowboys drafted Jalen Tolbert in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the expectation was that he would quickly become a key part of the passing attack.

Now entering his fourth season with Dallas, he has yet to produce at the level many envisioned.

With CeeDee Lamb firmly established as the star of the receiving corps, Tolbert has often been an afterthought at the wide receiver position.

Over his first three seasons, he totaled just 890 receiving yards and 73 receptions, falling short of the impact the Cowboys hoped for when they drafted him.

With Tolbert’s fourth season right around the corner, our Hayden Pustejovsky says it’s shaping up to be a make-or-break year, his performance this year could determine his future in the league. A look inside …

Here is why:

Tolbert is still playing under his 2022 rookie deal — a 4-year, $5 million contract with the Cowboys — which expires at the end of this season. With limited production over his first three years, he’ll need to prove his worth in this final year to show he deserves a bigger deal from the team moving forward.

How He Takes Advantage of the Opportunity: 

Before the Cowboys signed Steelers star George Pickens in free agency, Tolbert was rumored to be in line for the WR2 role. Now, with Pickens and CeeDee Lamb locked in as the top two options, Tolbert sits at WR3 on the depth chart. While it may seem like his opportunities have diminished, this could actually work to his advantage. With defenses focused on Lamb and Pickens, Tolbert has a chance to exploit favorable matchups as a sneaky third option, and emerge as a key contributor no one expected.

On top of that, with Kevontae Turpin facing misdemeanor charges after an arrest on Sunday, there’s a possibility Turpin could be suspended to start the season. If that happens, Tolbert could see even more snaps, giving him an even greater opportunity to prove himself and cement his role in the Cowboys’ offense.

What Happens If He Underperforms this Season?: 

Only time will tell, but the odds won’t be in Tolbert’s favor if he underperforms. With the Cowboys solidifying their top two options in Lamb and Pickens, the desire to re-sign him would likely be low, especially if they can draft a younger, more promising receiver at a similar cost in next year’s NFL Draft, which is expected to feature outstanding talent at the position.

In that scenario, Tolbert would find himself searching for a new team and a larger role elsewhere.

However, with limited production and modest stats on his résumé, other teams might only offer him a low-cost deal and offer more opportunities to prioritize the younger, higher-upside talent coming into the league.

As the season approaches, Jalen Tolbert is a player to watch — and to root for. If there was ever a time for him to have a breakout year, it’s now. His career, and his future in Dallas, may depend on it.