\u201cIt\u2019s not unreasonable to say I need to get back to that point in time,\u201d Josh Uche said. \u201cSack wise, the numbers haven\u2019t been the same, but pressure wise, win percentage rates, all these different specific analytics are still at that high rate, which shows I\u2019m getting to the quarterback efficiently. I think I just need to close off those home runs by getting there and getting there a step quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n
No player exhibits that more than Uche. A South Florida native by way of Miami Columbus High, the edge rusher turned heads with the New England Patriots in 2022, racking up 11.5 sacks to go along with 14 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles, all of which were a career high. In his three seasons since with the Patriots, then subsequently the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, Uche hasn\u2019t come close to his 2022 totals. The former Michigan standout, in fact, has yet to eclipse that career year if one combined his sack (six), quarterback hits (12) or forced fumbles (zero) during his last three seasons<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI just know more reps equals more production for me,\u201d Uche said.<\/p>\n The same goes for wide receiver Jalen Tolbert. Having spent the first four seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, Tolbert has shared the field with some talented receivers including five-time Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, one-time Pro Bowler George Pickens and six-time 1,000-yard wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Tolbert\u2019s career numbers \u2013 91 catches, 1,093 yards and 10 touchdowns<\/a> \u2014 bear the weight of sharing the field with greatness.<\/p>\n Dig and little deeper, however, and it\u2019s clear why the majority of Tolbert\u2019s career totals came from his 2024 season in which he snagged 49 balls for 610 yards and seven touchdowns: injuries.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Brandin Cooks went out, he was the [number] two [receiver], I had about seven to eight games where I could really get touches, get targets, get involved more in the offense,\u201d Tolbert said. A quarterback change also helped after Dak Prescott partially tore his hamstring. \u201cObviously Dak went down that year as well, and I had built some chemistry with [Cooper Rush]. \u2018Coop\u2019 trusted me. CeeDee went down that year, so it was just a lot of stuff that kind of happened around me that put me in positions to be able to get more targets, get more opportunities, get more touches.\u201d<\/p>\n After an impressive 2024, Tolbert expected to take on an even bigger role in the offense the following season. Then the Cowboys landed Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers via trade<\/a>. The offense shifted primarily to the Lamb-Pickens show with the latter having a career year (93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns) en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance.<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody wants to get involved,\u201d said Tolbert, who only amassed 18 grabs for 203 yards and a score in 2025. The veteran receiver has already put in time<\/a> with new quarterback Malik Willis. \u201cEverybody has a role. And so my role wasn\u2019t last season touching the ball the whole time, that was more so Cee\u2019s and GP\u2019s role and I was doing the dirty work and kind of just opening up and getting what I could get.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Uche and Tolbert will have a chance to prove their career years wasn\u2019t an anomaly. At edge, the starting position opposite of 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson is certainly up for grabs. And following the trade of Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, the receiver room needs somebody to step up.<\/p>\n The opportunity will certainly be there. Hopefully Uche and Tolbert will step up.<\/p>\n
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