Star Evaluation: Noah Brown Showed Rookie Promise, But WR Battle Awaits

Apr 03, 2018 at 10:04 AM

Rob Phillips

DallasCowboys.com Senior Writer

While the first couple of waves of free agency have passed, it's never too late to upgrade the roster, something the Cowboys will try to do at the end of this month with the NFL Draft.

Even with that, 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 wide receiver Noah Brown.

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17 September 2017: Noah Brown (85)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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25 September 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown (85) runs the football 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)

Ryan Kang/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown (85) reacts after a first down 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)

Ryan Kang/AP Images

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01 October 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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21 October 2017: Noah Brown and Ryan Switzer of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice at San Jose City College Jaguar Stadium before their week 7 regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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22 October 2017: Noah Brown (85)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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29 October 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

Mark Tenally/AP Images

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12 November 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott (4) attempts a pass to wide receiver Noah Brown, right, while Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) defends during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

Roger Steinman/AP Images

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19 November 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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 Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys

©Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown (85) runs after a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

Roger Steinman/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys receiver Noah Brown (85) runs after a catch during a 2017 NFL week 11 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys, 37-9. (James D. Smith via AP)

James D. Smith/AP Images

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19 November 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown (85) attempts to block a punt by Philadelphia Eagles' Donnie Jones (8) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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DAL vs LAC

©Jeremiah Jhass/Dallas Cowboys

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23 November 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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©James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Damien Wilson (57) and wide receiver Noah Brown (85) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins, 38-14. (Ryan Kang via AP)

Ryan Kang/AP Images

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Noah Brown (85) talks with teammates on the bench during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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16 December 2017: Noah Brown
of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys

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i17 December 2017: Noah Brown (white shorts), Daniel Ross (blue shorts), Dez Bryant (kneeling), Terrance Williams (front)
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

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17 December 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and wide receiver Noah Brown (85) warm up before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Eric Risberg/AP Images

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24 December 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) breaks up a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys' Noah Brown (85) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. Maxwell was charged with pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

Ron Jenkins/AP Images

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31 December 2017: Noah Brown (85)
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

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What's Been Good:

Brown was the only one of three seventh-round picks to make the 53-man roster out of training camp. He found a spot as a backup receiver and special teams contributor, active for 13 games with four catches for 33 yards. The Cowboys also used Brown often as a downfield blocker in the running game, where he leveraged his 6-2, 225-pound frame to help spring Ezekiel Elliott and the backs for extra yardage.

What's Been Bad:

Hard to pinpoint any true negatives with Brown's rookie season. He only averaged 12 snaps per game and was asked to block more than contribute to the passing game. But with so many receivers on this current roster, including two free agent signings, Brown will have to show noticeable progress as a pass-catcher to find a spot again this season.

2017 Highlight:

Brown had only four receptions as a rookie, but his first career catch was a critical moment in the Cowboys' early season. Trailing 7-0 late in the first half at Arizona, and struggled to find any consistent traction offensively in the Week 3 road matchup, quarterback Dak Prescott found Brown for a 13-yard gain that set up first-and-goal at the Cardinals' 10-yard line. Prescott would scramble for a touchdown on the next play, sparking an eventual road victory that pushed Dallas' record back above .500 coming off a miserable 25-point loss at Denver.

What's Next:

The Cowboys have created serious competition at wide receiver with the signings of Deonte Thompson and Allen Hurns, a former 1,000-yard wideout with Jacksonville. Hurns in particular is likely to compete for considerable snaps. Former backup Brice Butler has signed with Arizona, but the Cowboys' wideout depth extends beyond Brown to fellow 2017 draft pick Ryan Switzer and Lance Lenoir. The Cowboys like Brown's size and potential, but he figures to be locked in a position battle this summer.

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