Austin Konenski
The New England Patriots need a No. 1 wide receiver after releasing Stefon Diggs. Enter A.J. Brown. For months, Brown has been linked to New England due to head coach Mike Vrabel. The Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver spent the first three years of his career with Vrabel on the Tennessee Titans.
Brown has been open about his displeasure in Philadelphia, and New England has always been connected to him. In fact, the the Patriots were Brown’s favorite NFL team growing up, and he has been quite clear about it in recent years. With Diggs released and a bare wide receiver room, the direction moving forward is clear. The Patriots must make a trade for Brown the top priority.
New England and the Baltimore Ravens are considered the most likely trade partners for Brown, as reported by the Inquirer’s Jeff McLane. The Patriots and Ravens both need a No. 1 wide receiver, but any team acquiring Brown has to be willing to give up a lot of assets and absorb a $23 million cap hit.
This shouldn’t be a problem for New England. The organization has a lot of needs despite making the Super Bowl, such as offensive line help and EDGE rushers. However, a No. 1 wide receiver is the Patriots’ biggest need after releasing Diggs. If not Brown, New England still needs to find at least two wide receivers in other avenues.
None of them will be on the same level as Brown, which is why a trade must be the Patriots’ top priority.
Potential New England Patriots trade packages for A.J. Brown
The Eagles are rightfully asking for a massive haul if they trade Brown this offseason. On Thursday, the Buffalo Bills acquired D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick from the Chicago Bears for a 2026 second-round pick. That is a hefty price for Moore, and it shows why Philadelphia has a high asking price. So, what should the Patriots trade for Brown?
No matter what, the Patriots will have to move the 31st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It also should be willing to move another pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, such as a third-round pick. If the Eagles are looking for another asset, New England could include another pick or player. However, would that be too much? At some point, the Patriots have to draw a line.
While Brown should be New England’s top priority, it doesn’t work out sometimes. It takes two sides to complete a deal and if the Eagles are dead-set on a first-round pick, a second or third first round pick, and another good player, there might not be a realistic deal for New England.
For the sake of negotiating, the 31st pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2026 sixth-round pick should be New England and Philadelphia’s middle ground. That is a good deal for both sides, and one that would give the Eagles plenty of value in return for one of the NFL’s best wide receivers.
The Patriots know they need to acquire a No. 1 wide receiver. Whether it’s Brown or Alec Pierce from free agency next week, New England has to go all-in on acquiring Drake Maye‘s new favorite target. The Eagles are asking for the sun and the moon, but the Patriots should work as hard as possible to acquire Brown, while being realistic about the return.
Read More: 5 Best WR Targets for the New England Patriots After Releasing Stefon Diggs
