Cowboys can bolster WR depth with familiar face after shocking cut day release

When you think about the deepest position on the Dallas Cowboys' roster, safety is the first that comes to mind. However, receiver is not that far behind and the room looks a lot better heading into 2024 now that CeeDee Lamb has finally signed an extension.

Brandin Cooks is the clearcut WR2 and there was a steady drumbeat of Jalen Tolbert making plays during training camp against the Cowboys' first-team defense. There is hope that Tolbert will finally grow into the WR3 role, but the jury is still out on who will be fourth in the rotation.

Cowboys fans are bullish on 2023 seventh-round pick Jalen Brooks as well as rookie sixth-round selection Ryan Flournoy, who caught two touchdowns in preseason. While Brooks and Flournoy have nice potential, they are unproven. Flournoy is especially raw.

It certainly wouldn't hurt if Dallas went out and signed an established pass-catcher. Well, a familiar face is suddenly available for Dallas after the Texans surprisingly released Noah Brown.

Cowboys should absolutely sign WR Noah Brown after shocking Texans release

A seventh-round pick by the Cowboys in 2017, Brown is among the best wideouts that have been released on cutdown day. He battled injuries last year in Houston, but still produced 567 receiving yards in 10 games while battling Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Robert Woods and Dalton Schultz for targets.

Most of Brown's damage came over a preposterous two-game stretch in which he produced more than 300 receiving yards, but that was evidence of the strides he's made as a receiver in his career. He also played banged up for most of the year, so his production looks even more impressive.

Cowboys fans witnessed that first-hand in 2022 when Brown finished third on the team with 43 catches and 555 receiving yards. The WR room was in dire straits that season after Dallas traded away Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup struggled in his first year back from knee surgery.

That forced Brown into the WR2 job and he exceeded expectations. Now, Brown is best served as a third (probably fourth) receiver, but he parlayed that breakout season into a modest one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Texans. He then re-signed with Houston in March for $3 million guaranteed.

Unfortunately, the Texans went out and traded for Stefon Diggs this offseason. They also have 2022 second-round pick John Metchie hanging around, so Brown was victimized by the numbers game.

At the end of the day, Brown is a quality depth receiver who can contribute on special teams. He's also an outstanding run blocker; one of the best at his position. Cowboys fans won't take kindly to discarding Brooks and Flournoy, but Brown would contribute more to winning than the two youngsters.

If the money works, the Cowboys should absolutely give Brown a call once he's officially back on the market.

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