It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the Washington Commanders needed to strengthen their wide receiver room with another dependable option. Trading former first-round pick Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles was a calculated risk - one those in power believed was worth taking for the offer on the table after the gifted pass-catcher struggled to find a prominent role in Kliff Kingsbury's schematic concepts.
That's all well and good, but it did nothing to diminish the concerns about those behind Terry McLaurin on the depth chart. Hopes are high surrounding Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and rookie third-rounder Luke McCaffrey. But it's a journey into the unknown despite the promise shown by No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels under center.
Fortunately, this was the time of year when good players became available after not quite making the grade elsewhere. Adam Peters didn't put in any waiver wire claims with the No. 2 priority. Instead, the general manager set his sights on a vested veteran release with proven credentials in a competitive setting.
Commanders are getting a feast-or-famine playmaker in Noah Brown
The Commanders signed Noah Brown following his departure from the Houston Texans. The AFC South title holders had a surplus at the wide receiver spot. Many thought John Metchie III would be traded to make things easier. Those in power opted to part ways with the former seventh-round selection instead.
According to Will Kunkel from FOX Houston during an interview with JP Finlay from NBC Sports, the Commanders are getting a feast-or-famine playmaker. One he believes could thrive with a dynamic distributor such as Daniels leading the charge.
On any given day he can be that dude…Won the Texans two games last year…I think you guys will enjoy him now that there's a QB that can get him the ball.Will Kunkel via X
Brown is no stranger to head coach Dan Quinn having worked together during their time on the Dallas Cowboys. He's a physically imposing player at 6-foot-2. When he's in the mood, there are very few in the league who can cover him effectively.
The Ohio State product proved last season he can be an exceptional performer when firing on all cylinders. He gained 153 and 172 receiving yards respectively over consecutive weeks midway through the season. Brown was inactive for the next two contests and accumulated just 128 receiving yards over the final six weeks.
This was followed by five offensive snaps during the Texans' two playoff games. Such a steep drop in production was alarming, but injuries didn't help. What the Commanders need to figure out is how best to utilize his skill set and keep him engaged.
That's the key with Brown looking at his overall body of work. The more targets he gets, the better he is. While the player will never get the same amount as McLaurin, he's got the size and athletic profile to be impactful with plenty of one-on-one opportunities set to present themselves.
Brown was the best free agent on the market from the moment Houston deemed him surplus to requirements. Linking back up with Quinn and the promise of prominent targets in a system desperate for someone to break out into the No. 2 spot should be motivation enough.
It'll be a crash course for Brown in the coming days in pursuit of involvement during Washington's regular-season opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Commanders might decide to take a gradual approach, but this looks like a potential X-factor for Daniels to utilize in the wake of Dotson's departure.
