Noah Brown: From Buckeye Standout to NFL Veteran

Noah Brown, born on January 6, 1996, is an American professional football wide receiver currently playing for the Washington Commanders in the National Football League (NFL). His journey to the NFL began in high school, continued through a national championship-winning career at Ohio State University, and has seen him contribute to multiple NFL teams.

Early Life and High School Career

Brown spent his formative years in the Flanders section of Mount Olive Township, New Jersey. He attended Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, New Jersey, where he excelled as a football player. His high school career was marked by both triumph and adversity. He missed his sophomore season due to a broken rib sustained in the first game. However, he bounced back in his senior year, showcasing his versatility by recording 41 receptions for 857 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, along with seven rushing touchdowns. His performance helped his team reach the Non-Public Group III final, earning him All-New Jersey honors from the Newark Star-Ledger.

Brown was a highly sought-after prospect, receiving offers from numerous prominent programs including Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, and USC.

College Career at Ohio State

Brown committed to Ohio State University, where he played college football for three seasons (2014-2016).

2014: Freshman Season

As a true freshman in 2014, Brown played in all 14 games, contributing in a backup role. He was also part of the team that secured the 2015 College Football Playoff National Championship victory over Oregon.

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2015: Injury Setback

Unfortunately, Brown's promising trajectory faced a setback in 2015 when he broke his leg during training camp, causing him to miss the entire season. This injury was considered a significant loss for the team, as it impacted their offensive capabilities.

2016: Sophomore Success

In 2016, Brown returned to the field, starting in all 13 games. He recorded 32 receptions for 402 yards, tying for the team lead with seven touchdowns. One of the most memorable moments of his college career came during a game against Oklahoma, where he made an incredible one-handed touchdown catch that quickly went viral. Ohio State beat up on Oklahoma in a win. Ohio State's Noah Brown caught four touchdown passes, but one was so mind-blowing that as soon as you saw it, you knew that it would be shown for the rest of time, or at least as long as there is college football.

Despite having two years of eligibility remaining, Brown surprised many analysts by declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft. This decision was unexpected due to his limited experience as a one-year starter and his relatively low draft projection.

NFL Career

2017-2022: Dallas Cowboys

Brown was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (239th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

2017: Rookie Season

Brown made his professional debut in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. The following week, he recorded his first career reception against the Arizona Cardinals. His primary contributions during his rookie season came on special teams and as a blocker. In Week 16, his blocking ability earned him his first career start against the Seattle Seahawks.

2018-2022: Role Player

Brown's time with the Cowboys was marked by a consistent role as a depth receiver and special teams contributor. He spent the 2019 season on the PUP list due to an offseason knee surgery. In 2022, he recorded career-highs in starts (13), receptions (43), receiving yards (555), yards per reception (12.9) and touchdowns (3).

2023: Houston Texans

In 2023, Brown signed with the Houston Texans. He was placed on injured reserve early in the season but was later activated. In a Week 10 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Brown had his best career game, catching seven passes for 172 yards.

2024-Present: Washington Commanders

Brown signed with the Washington Commanders in 2024, reuniting with head coach Dan Quinn, who previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys. Last season for Washington, Brown played in 11 games with nine starts and recorded 35 receptions for 453 yards and one touchdown. The Washington Commanders announced that they have re-signed wide receiver Noah Brown. In 2025, Brown re-signed with the Commanders on a $4.5 million deal.

Contract Details

Noah Brown has signed several contracts throughout his NFL career:

2017: Drafted by the Cowboys, a 4-year contract worth $2,471,952.
2021: Signed a 1-year contract with the Cowboys for $1,127,500.
2022: Signed a 1-year contract with the Cowboys for $1,187,500.
2023: Signed a 1-year contract with the Houston Texans for $2,600,000.
2024: Signed a 1-year contract with the Washington Commanders for $1,210,000.
2025: Signed a 1-year contract with the Commanders for $3.25 million.

Career Statistics

Year	Team	Games Played	Receptions	Yards	Avg	TD
2017	Cowboys	13	4	33	8.3	0
2018	Cowboys	8	5	54	10.8	0
2020	Cowboys	16	14	154	11.0	0
2021	Cowboys	13	16	184	11.5	0
2022	Cowboys	16	43	555	12.9	3
2023	Texans	10	19	300	15.8	1
2024	Commanders	11	35	453	12.9	1
2025	Commanders	4	5	83	16.6	0

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