2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
- Round 2, No. 34: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 65: Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
- Round 4, No. 104: Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 143: Reggie Virgil (WR, Texas Tech)
- Round 6, No. 183: Karson Sharar (LB, Iowa)
- Round 7, No. 217: Jayden Williams (T, Ole Miss)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, No. 48: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Round 3, No. 79: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Raiders)*: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Bills via Jets and Raiders): Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington)
- Round 6, No. 215) (from Eagles)*: Harold Perkins (LB, LSU)
- Round 7, No. 231: Ethan Onianwa (T, Ohio State)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 19: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
- Round 2, No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
- Round 3, No. 83: Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 4, No. 129 (from Bears): Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Titans via Panthers): Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State)
- Round 5, No. 151 (from Dolphins): Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 3, No. 69 (from Giants via Texans, Bills and Titans): Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89: Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)
- Round 4, No. 124 (from Jaguars via Panthers): Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 166 (from 49ers via Eagles and Panthers): Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State)
- Round 6, No. 213 (from Seahawks via Jaguars, Lions and Bills): Jordan Van Den Berg (DT, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State)
- Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
- Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan)
- Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina)
Patriots Draft QB Behren Morton At No. 234
The Patriots are among the teams which have opted to bring in a signal-caller late on Day 3. Texas Tech’s Behren Morton has been taken by New England at No. 234. He becomes the ninth quarterback off the board and the first out of Lubbock since Patrick Mahomes was taken in 2017.
While much of the Red Raiders’ success in 2025 came from the transfer portal, Morton was a redshirt senior in his final year with the program. Where most find their way to Lubbock for college, Morton was born and raised there. A move to New England will mean quite a change in scenery.
Morton earned his first starters at Tech over a four-game stretch in his redshirt freshman year as an injury replacement. He began the 2023 season as the backup to eventual Saints starter Tyler Shough but took over the starting role in Week 5 and held on from there.
Morton showed a lot of promise in his first extended look as a starter. The team went 6-2 with him behind center, but Morton only averaged about 175.7 yards per game en route to 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His production took a huge jump the next season. He added over 100 yards per game to his weekly average as he threw for 3,335 yards, 27 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 12 games. While his total yardage fell short in 2025, his efficiency increase as his yards per attempt increased from 7.2 in 2024 to 8.8.
While Morton displayed a versatile arm at Tech, throwing from multiple arm slots, his arms strength has been called into question. He can throw with anticipation, but his accuracy leaves room for improvement, and his mechanics could use some refinement. He proved to be a tough athlete over the years, but injuries will be something to keep an eye on moving forward. Morton missed at least two games in three of his five years in school.
Morton is set to join a quarterbacks room that has a clear starter and backup in Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito. He’ll have the opportunity throughout the offseason to convince the Patriots to hold on to three passers for the 2026 NFL season, even if that might destine him for a spot on the practice squad.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
2026 NFL Draft Results By Round
From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Round 1
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
2) New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
4) Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
5) New York Giants: Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE, Ohio State)
6) Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
7) Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
8) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
9) Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
10) New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa (T, Miami)
11) Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, (S, Ohio State)
12) Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor (T, Alabama)
13) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
16) New York Jets (from Colts): Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
17) Detroit Lions: Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
18) Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
19) Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
20) Philadelphia Eagles (from Packers via Cowboys): Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
23) Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
24) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
25) Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
26) Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech)
27) Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
28) New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
30) New York Jets (from Broncos via Dolphins and 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
31) Tennessee Titans (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
32) Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
Round 2
33) San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
34) Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
35) Buffalo Bills (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
36) Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
37) New York Giants: Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
38) Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes (S, Arizona)
39) Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
40) Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
41) Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
42) New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)
43) Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
44) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)
45) Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter (LB, Missouri)
47) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
48) Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
49) Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
50) New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
51) Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati)
52) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
53) Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
54) Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
55) New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
56) Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher (TE, Texas A&M)
57) Chicago Bears: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
58) Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
59) Houston Texans: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
60) Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
61) Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)
62) Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
63) Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, C (Florida)
64) Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark (S, TCU)
Vikings Acquire No. 198, Select RB Demond Claiborne
For the second time in a few minutes, the Patriots have traded down. The defending AFC champions traded No. 191 to the Jaguars and have now moved No. 198 to the Vikings.
Minnesota will send No. 234 and a 2027 sixth-round pick to New England, the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed tweets. The Vikings are using the 198th choice on Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne.
Claiborne totaled just 14 carries in 2022, his first year with the Demon Deacons, before taking over as their lead back. He had a breakout season in 2024, a 12-game showing in which he rushed for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns on 228 attempts. Claiborne added another 254 yards and two scores on 23 catches.
Claiborne amassed fewer carries (179) in a dozen games last season as he dealt with ball security issues. While he finished with five fumbles, he put up 907 yards on 5.1 per tote and recorded 10 TDs. Claiborne also pulled in a personal-best 28 grabs, though his yardage total fell to 140 (a paltry 5.0 per reception).
The 5-foot-10, 188-pound Claiborne possesses 4.37 speed and is similar in size to Dolphins star De’Von Achane (5-9, 191). Between his athleticism and pass-catching skills, Claiborne is “low-calorie” version of Achane, Dane Brugler of The Athletic observes.
Claiborne will begin his NFL career behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, but those two are only under contract for another year. That could give Claiborne a chance to carve out an important role in the Vikings’ offense in the near future.
Jaguars Land No. 191 From Patriots, Draft WR Josh Cameron
The Jaguars are making another Day 3 trade-up move, acquiring No. 191 from the Patriots. New England will acquire Nos. 196 and 245 from Jacksonville.
Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron is heading to Jacksonville via this trade. This marks the third pass-catcher the Jags have selected during the event, joining tight ends Nate Boerkircher (second round) and Tanner Koziol (fifth round). Cameron will look to compete for a depth role in Jacksonville’s receiver room.
Jacksonville has Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington in position to remain key figures at the WR spot in 2026. Travis Hunter is also set to contribute on offense even if the team follows through with its plan of primarily using him as a cornerback. That will not leave much in the way of opportunities in the passing game for Cameron, but he could carve out a special teams role during training camp.
The 6-1, 220-pounder spent five years with Baylor, and his production took off beginning in 2024. Cameron caught 10 touchdown passes that season, adding another nine in 2025. He profiles as a red zone threat at the NFL level, with drops not viewed as a major concern. Further route-running refinement and better separation will be needed for Cameron to emerge as a regular on offense in the pros, however.
As things stand, the Jaguars own another sixth-round pick (No. 203). That will be followed by a trio of seventh-round selections on the part of general manager James Gladstone unless he winds up making any further trades.
Patriots Acquire No. 55 From Chargers, Draft EDGE Gabe Jacas
The Chargers will allow the Patriots to climb up a few spots. New England is moving up to No. 55. The Patriots are selecting Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas.
The Pats are sending Nos. 63, 101 and 202 to the Bolts in exchange for that 55th overall selection. This is the second straight move-up for New England, which did the same in the first round. The reigning AFC champions came into the draft with the 31st pick, but they sent it to the division-rival Bills in a deal for No. 28. The Patriots then addressed a key need in choosing Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu. They have checked another box with the Jacas pick.
Despite ranking 19th in pass rush win rate and 26th in sacks last season, the Patriots went 14-3 and advanced to the Super Bowl. They have since lost one of their sack leaders from 2025, K’Lavon Chaisson, who left for the Commanders in free agency. The Patriots added Dre’Mont Jones via the open market, but he is also versatile enough to line up on the inside. Jacas will join Jones and Harold Landry as the Patriots’ top edge rushers next season. The soon-to-be 22-year-old will also add some much-needed youth at the position. Both Jones and Landry will turn 30 in 2027.
The high-motor Jacas was productive in all four years at Illinois, where he played 50 games and registered 27 sacks. He posted personal bests in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (11) in 2025, a first-team All-Big Ten season. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder also forced three fumbles for the second year in a row. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Jacas as the 49th-best prospect available before the draft, lauding his “powerful, proficient technique.”
Patriots’ Mike Vrabel To Begin Counseling, Miss Day 3 Of Draft
While head coaches’ influence in draft rooms varies from team to team, they are regularly present throughout draft weekend. Mike Vrabel will only be available for part of the Patriots’ draft this year, however.
The second-year New England HC will miss Day 3 of the draft this year. Not long after making a statement after the New York Post published photos showing he and former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at a resort in Arizona this year, Vrabel told ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss he will be with his family on Saturday.
“As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend,” Vrabel said. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.
“I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”
The photographs released by the Post showed Vrabel and Russini hugging and holding hands. The Post has since released another batch of photos, these showing Vrabel and Russini kissing at a New York bar in March 2020. Vrabel and his wife, Jen, have two sons. Vrabel, 50, was the Titans’ HC in March 2020; Russini was an ESPN reporter at that time.
Vrabel told media this week the report showing he and Russini together at the Arizona resort this year is a “personal and private matter,” and indicated he “had some difficult conversations with people I care about — with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players.” His statement to Reiss emerged before the second round of photos surfaced. Russini resigned from The Athletic days after the Post published the first batch of photos.
Although Vrabel will be with his family Saturday, he told Reiss he will remain in contact with team decisionmakers. De facto GM Eliot Wolf and VP of player personnel Ryan Cowden are set to lead the draft room. This will be Wolf’s second draft with an official title atop the Patriots’ front office, though the veteran exec — initially brought in during Bill Belichick‘s HC/GM run — ran the 2024 draft before being named executive VP of player personnel. Vrabel brought in Cowden, his longtime Titans coworker whom he ultimately preferred be named GM during the team’s 2023 search process, shortly after his Pats hire in 2025. Although a report following Vrabel’s hire indicated he effectively overtook Wolf as the top Patriots decisionmaker, both he and Wolf report to ownership in New England.
The Pats have 11 draft picks this year. Eight of those picks come on the final day. The defending AFC champions hold two fourth-round choices, one fifth-round selection, four in Round 6 and one in Round 7. Vrabel not being present on an eight-pick day, with an absence allowing the successful coach to avoid media questions in a post-draft Saturday setting, will certainly come up as this wave of later-round prospects begin their careers.
“The New England Patriots fully support Mike Vrabel’s decision to prioritize his family first, as well as his own well-being,” the Patriots said Thursday in a statement (via the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi). “Mike has been open with us about his commitment to being the best version of himself for his family, this team and our fans, and we respect the steps he is taking to follow through on that commitment.
“We are confident in the leadership and communication Mike has established with our personnel staff throughout this pre-draft process. While he will not be present at the facility on Saturday, we know the draft evaluations are complete and Eliot Wolf and his personnel staff are prepared to execute our draft as planned this weekend.”
Patriots Acquire No. 28 From Bills, Draft T Caleb Lomu
This draft has not let down on a reported run of offensive linemen. After trading back a second time, the Bills cleared the way for the Patriots to add a tackle.
Buffalo sent No. 28 to New England in exchange for Nos. 31 and 125 (via ESPN’s Field Yates); the Patriots are drafting Utah’s Caleb Lomu. Primarily a left tackle for the Utes, Lomu figures to draw consideration for right-side work as a Patriot.
De facto GM Eliot Wolf confirmed as much Thursday night, via MassLive.com’s Karen Guregian. Wolf reiterated 2025 No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell is New England’s left tackle. Rumblings about a potential move to guard surfaced at multiple points last year, but the Patriots have shut that down thus far. Lomu now profiles as a likely successor/immediate challenger to Morgan Moses‘ RT gig.
The Pats scheduled a “30” visit with Lomu but canceled it, per Wolf, because they did not expect him to be on the board when their pick arrived (via the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed). The Pats moved up three spots to make sure they landed the 6-foot-6 blocker, who joined Spencer Fano (No. 9 overall — to the Browns) among the Utes’ first-round tackle tandem.
Wolf said (via Kyed) the Patriots viewed a drop-off at the tackle spot after Lomu. This aligns with recent reports that anticipated a mid-first-round run at the tackle position. We ended up seeing nine offensive linemen (seven of them tackles) go off the board Thursday. Lomu was the last member of that octet to be drafted, but he will join a defending conference champion and profiles as a long-term Campbell bookend partner.
Lomu made 10 pre-draft visits, joining Fano as a much-investigated blocker from the Big 12 program. Lomu redshirted in 2023 but earned Utah’s LT starting role in 2024, serving in that capacity during his final two college seasons. Earning first-team All-Big 12 acclaim last season, Lomu established himself as a first-round-caliber talent.
Two years remain on Moses’ three-year, $24MM contract, but the 13th-year vet is entering an age-35 season. The Patriots can move on from Moses and save $9MM in 2027. Our Ben Levine predicted (via PFR’s Patriots Offseason Outlook post) Moses’ 2026 roster spot was probably safe but anticipated tackle depth — at the very least — being sought. Lomu is a lot more than depth, and it would surprise if he is not asked to start by 2027 — if not sooner.
Patriots Hoping To Trade Down
The Patriots hold the 31st selection in the opening round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but their first pick may not come Thursday night. The reigning AFC champions will “actively” look to move down, Albert Breer of SI.com reports. They join their Super Bowl opponent, Seattle, in hoping to exit the first round without making a pick.
[RELATED: Mike Vrabel To Miss Day 3 Of Draft]
New England already has 11 picks, which is tied for the second-highest total in the league, and would add to its haul with a trade. The Patriots are hoping to find a trade partner motivated by the fifth-year option, according to Breer. First-round picks are controllable for up to five years. All other rookies sign four-year contracts.
Now in his third year as the Patriots’ executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf‘s most noteworthy draft trade came in a move-down in 2024. He sent the 34th and 137th picks to the Chargers for Nos. 37 and 110. The Chargers came away with standout receiver Ladd McConkey and starting cornerback Tarheeb Still. The Patriots, who used their choices on wideouts Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, came out on the wrong end. Both Polk and Baker are already out of the organization.
Receiver is still a need for the Patriots two years later, but they may pass on it in the draft in favor of an A.J. Brown trade with the Eagles. That leaves edge defender and offensive tackle as areas the Pats could bolster with their top pick, but they will wait a little longer to do it if a trade comes together Thursday night.
Patriots Not Yet Willing To Trade First-Rounder For A.J. Brown
APRIL 23: No talks are expected this weekend, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. However, the Eagles and Patriots are expected to reengage down the road, with Rapoport pointing to negotiations coming around the June date when a trade becomes financially reasonable for Philadelphia.
It would be logical for the clubs to speak on a trade leading up to that date, and Brown could theoretically join the Patriots for their minicamp if traded soon after June 1. But the teams look set to put this issue on the back burner for now.
APRIL 22: Although the Eagles trading A.J. Brown to the Patriots after June 1 is starting to look like a foregone conclusion, the door remains open for another team to top New England with a better offer.
On draft eve, the Pats are not believed to be ready to send a first-round pick to the Eagles for Brown, FOX’s Jay Glazer reports. The Eagles have long wanted a first-round pick headlining a Brown trade haul, as it would make the mercurial wide receiver’s dead money hit — even in a post-June 1 trade — easier to stomach. The returns the Bears and Dolphins respectively received for D.J. Moore and Jaylen Waddle surely did nothing to diminish the Eagles’ asking price.
The Broncos sent the Dolphins first- and third-round picks for Waddle, with a fourth-round pick swap also part of that trade, while the Bears collected a second-rounder for Moore and a fifth. Brown is more accomplished than both players, riding a streak of four straight 1,000-yard seasons and totaling six such slates in a seven-year career. But Brown gripes about his usage in Philly’s offense have been commonplace. A midgame dustup with Nick Sirianni also fueled the fire for a trade finally coming to pass, and a March report viewed a trade as “inevitable.”
A report earlier this week pegged the Patriots — Brown’s long-rumored destination, which would bring about a reunion with Mike Vrabel — as being ready to acquire the eighth-year receiver after June 1. In PFR’s latest chat, I posited a potential trade that involved a 2028 first-round pick and a Day 2 choice in 2027. The Eagles structured their Carson Wentz trade this way, collecting a 2022 conditional first-round pick from the Colts to go with a 2021 third. Philly also accepted a 2026 third-round pick from the Jets for Haason Reddick in 2024.
Teams are displaying reluctance to part with 2027 first-round picks, as that draft class is viewed as stronger than this one, and it will be interesting to see if another team will rival the Pats for Brown. For a bit now, New England has been the clear frontrunner. Glazer reiterates the Pats’ pole position here, mentioning a potential standoff in the event the defending AFC champs do not put a first on the table.
How the draft unfolds will shape other teams’ needs, potentially opening the door to more bids coming in for Brown before June 2. Philly would certainly welcome a bidding war, and how this draft class’ top receivers are dispersed may crystalize offer strength.
The other question here, naturally, covers the scenario in which the Eagles keep Brown and try to make it work with one of the most talented skill-position players in franchise history. Posturing on that front will undoubtedly come, but as it stands, this relationship looks to be on life support. The Patriots would not be inclined to increase their offer significantly based on what is coming out of Philly now. PFR readers believe a trade will happen. Will/should it involve a first-round pick?