What if I told you the Dallas Cowboys could have not just one, but two wide receivers make their season debut against the Tennessee Titans? I’m not setting you up for some kind of punchline or blowing smoke up your rear. It’s entirely possible the Cowboys could have two new faces playing WR when they take on the Titans this week.
Amari Cooper will make his much anticipated debut against the Titans after being acquired via trade from the Oakland Raiders, but he may not be alone. Now healthy, Noah Brown could be added to the active roster after spending the first part of the 2018 season on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury.
Noah Brown was spotted suited up with his teammates yesterday at practice, meaning the Dallas Cowboys now have approximately 21 days to decide whether to recall him from IR or not. There’s no way of knowing what the coaching staff will decide to do with #85, but having him padded up and practicing indicates they’re considering making him active this season.
Adding Amari Cooper has already shaken up the Cowboys WR position, but activating Noah Brown could make things really interesting and I’m all for it. Something needs to add a spark to the position, so why not throw more stuff at the wall to see what sticks?
We are all hoping Amari Cooper is one of those things that stick for not only this season, but for the foreseeable future. He automatically jumps to the top of the depth chart, but I don’t think Noah Brown would make that kind of leap if activated. That doesn’t mean his addition wouldn’t throw things into a frenzy though.
I don’t know where you would slide Noah Brown into the WR depth chart, but I would insert him at four, right between Michael Gallup and Allen Hurns. That’s right, I think he would leapfrog both of the veteran WRs the Cowboys brought in this offseason, Hurns and Deonte Thompson.
I truly believe Noah Brown would bring more to the Cowboys offense than either Hurns or Thompson. He provides an entirely different skill set than any of the current receivers on the active roster. He is basically a tight end in a receivers body. He is a big bodied, physical receiver whose blocking ability would earn him playing time right away.
I absolutely have no problem demoting Allen Hurns. He really hasn’t done anything to justify the playing time he’s receiving and I think Noah Brown can be just as effective. I just think Brown brings more to the table as both the receiver and blocker.
As far as Deonte Thompson is concerned, this could be the end of his time in Dallas. Keeping him to return kickoffs and catch a few passes here and there hardly justifies him holding down a roster spot. In fact, cutting him could be a win-win for the Cowboys. They would open up a roster spot for Noah Brown and receive as high as a fourth-round compensatory pick in 2019.
This of course is all speculation on my part, but it’s based on something that realistically could happen. Amari Cooper and Noah Brown might not make their season debut together against the Titans this week, but I’m all for adding these two WRs to the mix at some point this season.
Do you think Amari Cooper and Noah Brown both play against Tennessee?
