The Dallas Cowboys have 16 players set to become unrestricted free agents in March. In this series, we determine why a player should or should not return in 2016 and beyond.
Position: Offensive tackle
Age: 28
NFL experience: Six years
2015 salary: $745,000
2015 statistics: He served as the Cowboys’ backup offensive tackle in 15 games, and got one start when the Cowboys opened in their jumbo package.
Why he will be back: Brown came to the Cowboys in the second week of the season on a veteran minimum salary benefit contract that paid him $745,000 but cost just $550,000 against the cap. He would be a cheap alternative behind Tyron Smith and Doug Free and has 23 starts in his career.
Why he will not be back: The Cowboys drafted Chaz Green in the third round last year to serve as the swing tackle in 2015, but he needed hip surgery that kept him out for the entire season. Green returned to practice midway through the year but spent the entire season on the physically unable to perform list. Now healthy, Green has the inside track to be the third tackle behind Smith and Free, with the idea that he is a future starter at right tackle.
Chance to return: Low. If Brown is back, it would be on another minimum deal with little or no signing bonus. He was a fill-in player in 2015 because of Green’s injury, and with a healthy Green he’s not needed.
The series: