4 Cowboys free agents who should return in 2023

3. Noah Brown, Wide Receiver

Cooper Rush has been getting all the love for keeping the Cowboys on task while Dak Prescott was out with a thumb injury, but he wasn’t the only reserve forced into duty. With Michael Gallup and James Washington out, Noah Brown was asked to step into a starting role and he was up to the challenge.

A former seventh-round pick from Ohio State, Brown entered his fifth season in 2022 and has pulled down 30 receptions for 399 yards. He also caught his first career touchdown against the Bengals. And even with Gallup back in the mix, Brown has continued to make plays when called upon.

He’s become a safety valve that moves the chains, as 18 of Brown’s 30 receptions have gone for a first down this season. In addition to that, he’s a great blocker on the outside who has always been able to help clear the way for whichever running back is carrying the rock.

With his role diminished since Gallup returned, it might be easy to say Brown doesn’t need to return in 2023, but that would be a mistake. Every good team needs a backup who understands the system as well as he does, as well as someone who has shown up in big moments. Knowing they can go to him when one of their stars can’t suit up gives the coaching staff peace of mind, making him one of the top players to re-sign this offseason.