Unpacking Future Packers: No. 97 Jalen Tolbert
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers wide receiver room is likely to look a lot different when the 2022 season opens. Will they opt to make Davante Adams the highest-paid wide receiver in the league? Will they bring back Allen Lazard? Will deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling be back in Green Bay?
With the Packers being strapped for cash it will be interesting to see what Brian Gutekunst does this offseason.
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future outlook of the wide receiver position at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. The only certainty is that Gutekunst will likely use an early selection on the position in the 2022 NFL draft.
A player that Gutekunst could target on day two of the draft is Jalen Tolbert. The South Alabama wide receiver checks in at No. 97 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Tolbert came to South Alabama as a two-star recruit and turned himself into one of the best offensive players in program history.
In 2019, Tolbert caught 27 passes for 521 yards and six touchdowns. Tolbert broke out in a big way in 2020, recording 64 receptions for 1,085 yards and eight touchdowns.
This past season Tolbert earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year. He recorded 82 receptions for 1,478 and eight touchdowns.
“Tolbert went into every game as the opposing defense’s main objective, yet he continued to excel,” Creg Stephenson, a writer for AL.com said. “Jake Bentley’s arrival at quarterback was a tremendous help, but Tolbert did well even after Bentley was injured. He holds every major South Alabama season and career receiving record; I’d argue he’s the greatest offensive player in program history.”
Tolbert is one of the best big-play threats in college football. Over the past two seasons, he’s caught 41 passes of 20-plus yards.
The South Alabama wide receiver possesses the one-step acceleration to beat press coverage. He eats up cushion without breaking stride and he has the long speed to keep defensive backs honest.
According to Pro Football Focus, Tolbert had the fifth most deep receiving yards in the FBS this past season.
“The 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver was responsible for 646 deep receiving yards this season, the fifth-most in the FBS. Tolbert was the go-to guy in South Alabama’s offense, and he made the most of those opportunities.”
Tolbert has springs in his shoes. He’s able to climb the ladder and outmuscle defenders at the catch point. With his frame and leaping ability, Tolbert has a huge catch radius.
“His catch radius is probably his greatest strength,” Stephenson said. “He’s not overly fast but does a great job of positioning his body to make catches in traffic and on jump balls.”
Tolbert has juice after the catch. He’s a long strider and fights through arm tackles. If he makes the first man miss he is off to the races with his quickness. According to PFF, Tolbert racked up 581 yards after the catch in 2021.
Get Jalen Tolbert the ball and good things will happen. pic.twitter.com/Xd0T1rGHAz
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) January 12, 2022
“He wins with his acceleration,” Stephenson said. “I’m not sure exactly how fast he is, but he can move with the ball in his hands.”
Tolbert suffers from concentration drops. It’s not that he doesn’t have strong, reliable hands. In the Tennessee game this past season, Tolbert started the game with a drop. On the very next play, he made a one-handed catch with a defender in his hip pocket.
Jalen Tolbert. Mama Mia. pic.twitter.com/O8xwpe4paK
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) January 12, 2022
“He has concentration lapses on occasion,” Stephenson said. “But as stated above, Tolbert can make the tough catch in traffic when needed.”
As a route runner, Tolbert is far from polished. However, he has some suddenness in his routes. He bursts in and out of his breaks to create separation.
Fit with the Packers
As stated earlier in this piece, the wide receiver room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue could be getting a makeover this offseason.
With his big-play ability, Tolbert would be an ideal replacement for Valdes-Scantling. The South Alabama product has the quickness, toughness, and YAC ability to step in and produce from day one.
“He’s a high-character guy,” Stephenson said. “In an age of diva receivers, he’s notably humble. Second, he excelled against top competition. He had seven receptions for 143 yards against Tennessee. He had 10 receptions for 191 yards against Coastal Carolina. Then he had six receptions for 143 yards against. Louisiana. I’m not sure he’s a No. 1 receiver in the NFL, but he’d definitely be an asset as a 2 or 3.”
In a recent interview with the Senior Bowl Tolbert mentioned that he’d love to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers and noted that he watches a lot of Davante Adams film.
In a few short months, Tolbert could be catching passes from Rodgers as Green Bay’s new No. 2 wide receiver opposite Adams.
