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Dallas Cowboys: Can Noah Brown crack the final 53?

By Steven Mullenax

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Noah Brown #80 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes the catch in the end zone for a touchdown during overtime against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Noah Brown #80 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes the catch in the end zone for a touchdown during overtime against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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Can seventh round selection Noah Brown crack the Dallas Cowboys stacked wide receiver corps where four of the potential five spots are already taken?

One of the more intriguing position battles to watch when Dallas Cowboys‘ training camp kicks off later this month will be at wide receiver. With only one spot potentially open, could seventh round selection Noah Brown beat out veterans like Brice Butler, Andy Jones and Lucky Whitehead for that lone opening?

Last season, the Cowboys only carried five wide receivers on their active roster. With questions along their offensive line, it’s a good bet Dallas would opt to carry an extra lineman or two over a receiver. If that’s true, there will be some hard decisions to make at that position come September.

The Cowboys likely have four receivers who are already locks to make their 53-man roster. Those players being Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley and fourth round sensation Ryan Switzer. That leaves players like Brown, Butler, Jones and Whitehead all vying for one spot.

At this point in the offseason, it appears Butler has the upper hand on winning that slot. On top of his experience, his 6’3″, 220 pound frame and his sub-4.4 speed, Brice has reportedly been one of the Cowboys most consistent performers this offseason.

But the name to watch is Brown. The 239th overall selection in the draft out of Ohio State is mainly known for having one legendary college performance in which he posted a school record four receiving touchdowns against Oklahoma last year. Drafting Brown was all about potential as the 19-year old was only targeted a total of 50 times in his entire college career. But the Cowboys seem excited about his future in Dallas nonetheless.

"“(Brown’s) an outside receiver with a big frame (6-2, 222),” Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan told the Dallas Morning News. “He’s kind of got a ‘tweener’ size when it comes to receiver. He’s got a little bit of a TE element to his game as far as his size and the matchup and the people he’s blocking. So he should match up well in that area. He’s a good receiver, too. He has a real consistence game, and he’s a smart kid, so we’re excited about him.”"

Next: Dallas Cowboys - The all-time best defenders to wear the Star

The Cowboys love wide receivers who can block for their running game, and Brown was one of the best blockers at his position in this draft class. I believe blocking is one of the reasons why Dallas re-signed Terrance Williams in the offseason. If Brown can prove he’s a better blocker than the rest, it could give him a leg up on some very stiff competition in Dallas.

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