A report from mid-March suggested a trade sending wide receiver A.J. Brown out of Philadelphia is seen as “inevitable,” and no subsequent reporting has offered any real pushback on that notion. Consistent with the prevailing thought on the matter ESPN’s Jeff Darlington (video link) says the Eagles will be navigating this week’s draft as if Brown will be dealt (a post-June 1 transaction has always felt like the most logical move given the dead money charges Philly would incur if it were to consummate a trade prior to that date).
Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports echoes those sentiments and uses GM Howie Roseman’s offseason additions of Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, and Dontayvion Wicks to a WR room that already includes DeVonta Smith (and, for the time being, A.J. Brown) as further evidence that the three-time Pro Bowler will soon be on the move. Robinson hears the Eagles have especially high hopes for Wicks, whom they believe can unlock another level in Philly after showing flashes over his three seasons in Green Bay. Roseman acquired Wicks from the Packers in exchange for two Day 3 selections and then authorized a one-year, $12.5MM extension that keeps him under club control through 2027.
Darlington cautions that his report does not necessarily mean the Eagles will add a receiver in the draft, although they certainly have the ammunition to do so. The club currently holds the No. 23 overall pick as well as three Day 2 choices (Nos. 54, 68, and 98), and prior rumblings have suggested Roseman will be targeting WR help early in the draft. In terms of physicality and skillset, Washington’s Denzel Boston is something of an A.J. Brown comp, and Roseman could consider him with the No. 23 selection, as former NFL executive Mike Tannenbaum posits in the above video report.
Obviously, using a premium pick on a wideout like Boston would be yet another indication that a Brown trade is in the offing, but even if Roseman does not make such a move, Darlington would not take that as a sign that Brown will remain in Philly. It still appears the soon-to-be 29-year-old has already played his last snap with the Eagles – as a majority of PFR readership believes – and the Patriots remain the frontrunner for his services.
New England added Romeo Doubs in free agency this offseason, but the reigning AFC champs are squarely within the window of opportunity afforded by quarterback Drake Maye’s rookie contract and have the cap space to absorb Brown’s contract. Even in a down season defined by struggles throughout the Eagles’ offense, Brown managed to catch 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven TDs.
Brown is going to the Patriots 100%
Would be interested in Cooper Jr at 23 if they do go WR. I like Boston but idk, something about him is off for me. I’m sure he will be a great pro and it’s a me thing. I just don’t like his game that much. I’d really like Lemon but he’s gonna be gone by the time 23 rolls around and I don’t wanna trade up for a WR.
As I said previously many times here, I knew the Smith/Brown tandem had a shelf life. I’m just glad it is Brown who is the one who will be leaving town (most likely)
They need OL so desperately…. IMHO a massive mistake.
There not taking a WR at 23 unless someone who is extremely high on thier board falls to them.
I actually believe they will trade down a couple slots and still have a shot at Ihaenachor or Blake Miller or Proctor. I just believe as always as soon as a couple DE/Edge names come off the board around between 10 to 15th picks that will start the run on DE and I also believe the same will happen with WR so a couple OL players will slide a little into the 20’s and 30’s.
@fta and double b, to be clear, I don’t want them to take a wr either. I want them to go OL also. I was just simply stating my preference if Howie WAS to go WR.
I keep saying Boston is not that guy.
Look at the track record for Washington WRs.
People need to put their actual names on this. It’s like the 100% snowstorm that’s guaranteed to dump 2 feet of snow… That fizzles. But they got weeks of content out of it.
I think he gets traded. On June 2nd for cap reasons.
Patriots