Noah Brown was a member of the national champion Ohio State roster in 2014 that featured receivers like Michael Thomas, Curtis Samuel, Devin Smith and Jalin Marshall.
He spent his first five seasons in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, learning from pass-catchers like Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Terrance Williams and Dez Bryant.
But Brown, who enters his second season with the Houston Texans, has even been shocked by the plethora of in the receiver room for C.J. Stroud’s “five-headed monster” entering 2024.
“It’s the best receiver room I’ve been in since I’ve been in the league,” Brown said Monday following practice. “And it’s full of great guys who want to compete, want to see each other do well. So it’s been a fun time.”
Brown is one of several targets looking to become a fixture of the Texans’ passing game behind Nico Collins, Tank Dell and newly acquired Stefon Diggs. Even before Diggs arrived via trade this offseason, Houston looked poised to build off a top-10 ranking in the passing game last season.
Noah Brown said yesterday that this WR room is the best one he’s been in 💯 pic.twitter.com/uvBwxgRAaS
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 30, 2024
Collins, who inked a three-year extension earlier in the offseason, became the third Texans’ receiver to total 1,200 yards in a single season. He also hauled in 80 passes and scored eight touchdowns.
Dell, a third-round pick out of Houston, was on pace to break every rookie receiving record in franchise history before suffering a broken leg in early December. Still, he finished with 709 receiving yards and seven scores on 47 catches.
And while Diggs — a four-time Pro Bowler with six 1,000-yard seasons — will be a staple of the passing game, Brown stepped up multiple times as the Texans’ No. 3 target en route to a division title.
For two weeks, he looked unstoppable, totaling 13 catches on 14 targets for 325 yards and a touchdown in wins over the Buccaneers and Bengals.
This play from Noah Brown basically won the game for the Texans @ the Bengals. He isn’t on the roster to be the best WR, but man is he good when he’s at his best. pic.twitter.com/22Mewyovio
— James Roy (@JamesRoyNFL) March 26, 2024
“He’s always been a very consistent guy,” coach DeMeco Ryans said of Brown. “Every rep that he’s taken, he’s tough, he finishes, he plays the right way. And he’s just consistent. You know what you’re going to get out of Noah every time he steps on the field.”
Although not the full-time third option, Brown finished with 33 catches for 567 yards and a pair of touchdowns before tearing his labrum in the team’s wild-card playoff win over the Browns. He missed a majority of OTAs but is now back to full strength heading into Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game.
“It’s been good to shake back off the injury I had at the end of last year, come out here full-go and make some plays,” Brown said. “It’s been exciting to get back out here with the guys.”
While Houston knows it likely will only keep six receivers, competition is fierce for the final three spots. Third-year target and former second-round pick John Metchie III has been on point throughout the early stages of training camp.
Second-year receiver Xavier Hutchinson made a pair of one-handed grabs during practice last week and has been a favorite target for Davis Mills.
Veteran Robert Woods remains a part of the equation and Steven Sims offers upside on special teams.
Steady workin’ ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Kv8W2KECiJ
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 26, 2024
But Brown, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal to return to Houston this offseason, also has caught the attention of fans and coaches. Last week while working one-on-one drills, he arguably made the play of training camp with a one-handed catch against Troy Pride Jr.
The Texans are looking to build off their division title from last season. Having an experienced, plus balanced receiving room elevates the competition, which is something Brown enjoys.
