Eye-popping A.J. Brown projection could fuel Drake Maye's monster 2027 payday

It's been more than a decade since a New England Patriots receiver has totaled 1,200 yards. And while it hasn't been that long, it's also been quite some time since the Patriots had a highly-paid superstar quarterback.

However, after failing to draft and develop a homegrown wideout and enduring some ugly post-Tom Brady years (no disrespect to Mac Jones), there's a new era in Foxboro.

With A.J. Brown finally realizing his childhood dream of becoming a Patriot, the reigning AFC champions filled a glaring hole (and a critical role) on offense that's existed for a lot longer than fans might think. After all, while Julian Edelman was excellent in his prime, he simply wasn't the same player toward the end of his career. And outside of one year of Stefon Diggs (who disappeared in the playoffs), you have to dial the clock back to 2012 to find a time when the Patriots actually had a true No. 1 receiver.

In what turned out to be his final season in Foxboro, Wes Welker recorded 118 receptions for 1,354 yards and six touchdowns. No receiver has come close to matching those numbers, but Brown certainly has the best odds of anyone who's come through One Patriot Place recently.

And if Strat-O-Matic's projections are on point, Brown's arrival and immediate on-field impact should not only make the Patriots the favorites in the AFC but also put Drake Maye in the driver's seat to secure the largest contract in franchise history.

A.J. Brown projected to produce at Wes Welker levels

Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston relayed the Strat-O-Matic simulation results for the 2026 season, and Brown projects to finish with 88 catches for 1,255 yards and 8 touchdowns. While Patriots fans have desperately waited for that type of production from the position, Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles fans watched the big-bodied wideout put up those types of numbers regularly.

Brown has totaled 524 receptions for 8,029 yards and 56 touchdowns across seven NFL seasons. That averages out to a stat line of 75/1,147/8 — and that doesn't account for the fact that he missed seven games during his final two years in Philadelphia.

Obviously, the Patriots have high expectations for Brown based on the price they paid for his services (a 2028 first-round pick is nothing to scoff at). His arrival should have a major trickle-down effect on other players. He can serve as a veteran mentor for second-year pro Kyle Williams. He can command attention from opposing defenses, allowing free-agent acquisition Romeo Doubs to face one-on-one coverage. He can open holes for Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson in the running.

And, most importantly, he can become Maye's most trusted (and valuable) teammate both on and off the field.

Projecting Drake Maye's 2027 payday

Brown has both the physical skill set and competitive drive to be the true No. 1 receiver the Patriots have been missing for far too long. He gives Maye a tough, big-bodied target whom he can turn to in crunch time and when he's under duress. And as long as Brown stays healthy, he undoubtedly has all the motivation in the world to prove Mike Vrabel made the right decision to pull off such a massive trade.

And that's great news for Maye's financial future.

After finishing as the runner-up for the 2025 NFL MVP award, the third-year pro looks poised to take another leap forward. Maye showed incredible growth in his second season despite not having an all-star supporting cast. But with Brown and Doubs in the fold, better depth along the offensive line, and more experience in Josh McDaniels' offense, Maye seems set up for more success than ever.

Meanwhile, the Patriots better prepare to open their checkbook next spring. As a 2024 first-round pick, Maye will be eligible to sign an extension during the 2027 offseason. After being one of the NFL's best bargains, he's set to become perhaps its highest-paid player.

Of course, the Patriots probably hope their franchise quarterback follows in the footsteps of his predecessor and take some team-friendly deals.

Whether Maye pulls that page out of the Tom Brady playbook remains to be seen.

But if A.J. Brown can make even 75% of the impact Randy Moss did in 2007, the Patriots will certainly be in the same position as they were with TB12 under center: competing for the Lombardi Trophy.

And if anything's guaranteed to get you paid, it's winning Super Bowl rings.

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