While free agency officially begins in March, roster turnover isn't too far away. The Cowboys will indeed add and presumably release players, along with letting some go without a new contract.
However, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.
Today, we continue the series with cornerback Anthony Brown.
Views of #30 Cornerback Anthony Brown from the 2017-18 Regular Season.
10 September 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 September 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 September 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) lines up against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler, left, cornerback Anthony Brown, center and strong safety Kavon Frazier sign their jerseys after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cowboys defeated the Cardinals, 28-17. (Ryan Kang via AP)
25 September 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Chad Williams (16) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) as he catches a pass for a fourth quarter gain of 8 yards and a first down at the Cowboys 30 yard line on a third down play during the 2017 NFL week 3 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cowboys won the game 28-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
25 September 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
01 October 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (88) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
29 October 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs KC
05 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
05 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Kansas City Chiefs running back Akeem Hunt (31) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) poses for a photo after their NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
DAL Vs ATL Departure
DAL Vs ATL
DAL Vs ATL
DAL Vs ATL
12 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs ATL
19 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 11 regular season 37-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs LAC
23 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) defends as Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) runs a route during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
23 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) in coverage during a week 12 NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Los Angeles won 28-6. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
23 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
30 November 2017: Anthony Brown (30) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys players Jaylon Smith (54), Anthony Brown (30), Dez Bryant (88), head coach Jason Garrett, players Jason Witten (82) and Dan Bailey (5) stand at attention during the national anthem before a 2017 NFL week 14 regular season game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 30-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
10 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) catches the ball in front of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) during a week 15 NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
17 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) breaks up a pass intended for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) during a week 15 NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
17 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) in coverage on the line of scrimmage during a week 16 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Seattle won 21-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
30 December 2017: Anthony Brown
of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
31 December 2017: Anthony Brown (30)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
What's Been Good:
Brown had a terrific rookie season in 2016, emerging as a nine-game starter despite his sixth-round draft status. He impressed the Cowboys right away with his competitiveness – he picked off then-starter Tony Romo in the first week of practice – and showed versatility in the slot, a position he never played in high school or college. In 2017, he tied for the team lead with 11 pass breakups and finished behind only Jeff Heath with two interceptions. When Brown is playing confidently, he's among the most productive defensive backs on the roster.
What's Been Bad:
Brown lost his starting job after the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Chargers, where quarterback Philip Rivers posted a near-perfect 149.1 passer rating with 434 yards and 3 touchdowns. In those first 11 games, Brown led the Cowboys with 10 penalties (five defensive holding, five defensive pass interference). He didn't commit a penalty in the final five games, but his playing time dropped dramatically from 63 snaps per game to an average of 30 snaps in the final five.
2017 Highlight:
Coaches want to see how players handle adversity, and Brown responded well after the Cowboys promoted rookie Chidobe Awuzie to the starting lineup. He intercepted Washington's Kirk Cousins the following week despite playing only 8 snaps. Then, with the Cowboys' season on the line at Oakland two weeks later, Brown forced a fumble on special teams and broke up three passes – though he did drop an easy interception against Derek Carr that kept the Raiders' final drive alive in an eventual Dallas victory.
What's Next:
It'll be interesting how new secondary coach Kris Richard decides to use Brown and the Cowboys' other young cornerbacks. After dealing with some disappointment in his second season, perhaps a new voice will help Brown continue to progress in Year 3. He's shown he can make plays on the ball, and he can line up outside or in the slot.
- Much like Maliek Collins, I was expecting big things from Brown coming off his rookie season.
- The front office made the move to part ways with veteran players at the position to pave the way for him to receiving more playing time.
- He didn't have the type of year that I expected from an overall performance aspect.
- Would say that he lost his aggressive edge in coverage along with his ability to finish as a tackler.
- He just wasn't that same competitive player we had seen before.
- Won the starting job then lost it after the Chargers game where the entire secondary was a disaster.
- Did play better in sub-package roles coming off the bench, but by that time it was too late.
- Will once again be in a battle with other talented players for a starting job but needs to regain that edge he once had.
- No question that he has the talent, but must once again put it all together for a new secondary coach.
