The New England Patriots roster reconstruction or remodeling continues into the 2026 offseason. They've added players and jettisoned some, as well. While they've upgraded at least one position (safety), they've left numerous others still unimproved. There's a lot more work to do, and one place is at wide receiver.
One analyst, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, has predicted they'll make a big trade for the Eagles receiver A.J. Brown, and that a first-round draft pick will be involved in the deal.
The Patriots have sent last season's No. 1 receiver, Stefon Diggs, packing (at least for now), and added a solid No. 2 receiver in free agent Romeo Doubs. He's a nice No. 2 guy, but he's nowhere near a No. 1 in production. That's where Brown may come in. He's the closest thing to a No. 1 receiver the team can now acquire if they're willing to pay the freight.
That freight may include the team's 2026 first-round draft pick (No. 31 overall) and more. The debate is raging over whether that's too much to ante up for a soon-to-be 29-year-old, seven-year veteran. On the plus side, while Brown caught only 78 passes (fewer than Diggs' 85 last season), like Diggs, those catches went for more than 1,000 yards. Brown had 1003.
A.J. Brown is worth a No. 1 pick and more
There is no doubt that a trade for A.J. Brown adds a de facto No. 1 receiver to the Patriots' offense. While he only broke 100 catches one time in 2023 with 106, he's broken the 1,000-yard mark in six of his seven NFL seasons. He's also averaged eight touchdowns per season. Those are consistent No. 1 receiver stats for certain.
Sobleski made some predictions before the draft, including the Patriots trading for the Eagles' wide receiver Brown.
"The Patriots remain the most likely landing spot for Brown's services, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Financially, a deal makes the most sense after June 1 when his dead salary-cap hit decreases by over half upon spreading it over two seasons. However, New England can entice the Eagles to get a deal done earlier by offering up a first-round pick.
The Patriots won't find as impactful of a performer, at least in the short term, with this year's 31st overall pick. New England is again operating at a Super Bowl standard. Brown can help elevate the entire offense while reuniting with his first head coach, Mike Vrabel."
Sobleski's argument makes sense. The Patriots have an MVP-level quarterback in Drake Maye. Not to have a bona fide No. 1 receiver for him to throw to is personnel negligence.
As such, the price of a No. 31 pick overall, and maybe one of their two fourth-rounders (or even their third) doesn't seem to be an extravagant price to pay. If they can somehow get him for less, all the better.
The Patriots jettisoned Diggs, their de facto No. 1 receiver, earlier this offseason. They have to replace him one way or the other. The draft is always a crapshoot, though they would be well-advised to draft one higher up anyway.
Regardless, if a reasonable trade, even including their first-round pick, is available for Brown, the Patriots should just make the deal. He's a guaranteed 1,000-yard receiver, and they have none on the roster right now.