NFL insider Adam Schefter set a clear timeline for a potential A.J. Brown trade on Monday morning. And while fans of the New England Patriots won’t be surprised by the expected date range, they may be intrigued by the potential price.
In his latest reporting ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, Schefter wrote for ESPN that a deal between the Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles for Brown remains on the table, and is “tracking to happen on or after June 1.” That timing is purely a business decision by GM Howie Roseman and the Eagles, as waiting on a trade is advantageous to them from a salary cap perspective.
Perhaps the most important update from Schefter was Philly’s goal to collect future draft capital in 2027 and 2028 in a potential Brown trade. The Eagles currently hold nine selections in the 2026 draft, but they only have six picks in what’s expected to be a loaded 2027 draft class, and seven picks for 2028.
“And to be clear, the Eagles are also not concerned about adding draft capital for this week's draft; acquiring additional picks in 2027 and 2028 is even more enticing to them, per sources,” Schefter wrote. “Picks in future years were the compensation that was discussed when the Eagles and Rams had extensive trade conversations regarding Brown, which did not materialize into a deal.”
Eagles’ A.J. Brown asking price just brought Patriots trade package into focus
Roseman is well known for scouring the trade market for future draft capital, especially the game of stockpiling Day 3 picks, and then using those extra assets to either acquire veteran talent or move around the draft board.
From the Eagles’ perspective, the Patriots’ first-round pick in 2027 feels like the main target in a trade, especially after the Broncos acquired Jaylen Waddle for a 2026 first (No. 30 overall), a 2026 third (No. 94 overall), and a swap of fourth-round selections.
But as FOX Sports insider Jordan Schultz reported last week, teams across the league could be hesitant to trade premium 2027 picks due to the projected high-end talent in that draft class, especially at quarterback and the offensive skill positions. The Patriots could be among those teams. They’ve already acquired an extra 2027 fifth-round selection from the Bears in exchange for offensive lineman Garrett Bradbury.
That leads us to a compromise: The Patriots make their first-round pick in 2028 the centerpiece of a trade for Brown:
Why this Patriots trade package makes sense for both sides
This feels like the sweet spot for both parties. The Patriots keep their 2027 draft board intact, but sweeten the deal by sending one of their two fifth-round selections that year to Philly. The Eagles get Brown off their books while securing the premium future capital they’ve been coveting in the form of two top-100 picks in 2028.
The fourth-round pick going back to New England with Brown helps balance out the value of the trade while helping to replenish the Patriots’ 2028 draft board. There’s no exact science to a deal of this magnitude, and using future draft picks makes it tougher to project. But using the recent Waddle trade between the Broncos and Dolphins as a guide, this is the type of package that would officially get Brown to Foxboro.
Could the Eagles instead covet picks and a player, perhaps targeting the ascending Kayshon Boutte and his expiring rookie contract? That’s definitely possible, as Brown would demand a high snap count, and the Patriots have a full depth chart after paying Romeo Doubs in free agency and using a third-round draft pick on Kyle Williams in 2025. Mack Hollins and DeMario Douglas also remain in the mix after carving out clear roles in Josh McDaniels’ offense last year.
Either way, Schefter all but confirmed what NFL fans have been expecting: A.J. Brown will eventually make his way to the Patriots. The only lingering question is what the Patriots agree to spend on him.
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