The rumored timetable that the Eagles will trade wide receiver AJ Brown, presumably to the Patriots, is nearing, so the conversation about what the deal might include is heating up. By all accounts, at the very least, a future first-round pick is the asking price, and maybe a mid-round pick or a player to entice the Eagles a bit more.
For the most part, Patriots fans aren't exactly thrilled with the idea that such high draft capital will likely be required to get Brown in the door, mostly because of his age and rumored knee issues that have scared other teams away.
However, on the other hand, the offense has long needed a clear cut WR1, and that's what it will cost to get that kind of player.
There is a chance that the Eagles could sweeten the deal on their end, though, by including a mid-round pick to send back to New England. That's the idea that Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport listed in his new proposed trade, and it might be the best one we've seen so far this offseason.
The Patriots probably won't get a better trade deal than this proposal for AJ Brown
Because the Patriots are considered the front-runner to land Brown, with most analysts believing an unofficial deal has been agreed upon, they are the only team involved in any proposed trades for the receiver.
That prompted Davenport to suggest the latest proposal to include a 2027 third-round pick, as well, and that might soften the blow of getting rid of their future first-rounder.
The only thing that would make this deal better is if the future first-round pick were in 2028 instead, mostly because the consensus is that next year's draft is one of the best classes in recent years, so teams will want to hold onto their higher picks more than usual.
That would put this deal over the top, but it's unclear if the Eagles would accept that at this point, especially since they're giving up quite a lot by moving on from Brown, who has been their top receiver since he was traded there in 2022.
During those four years, he recorded 339 receptions for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns in 62 games, with six missed games over the two seasons. He's a proven superstar who will elevate Drake Maye to new heights, and that's exactly why trading a first-round pick will be worth it.
At this point, it's probably getting too picky by preferring it was in 2028 rather than 2027, because at the end of the day, no matter what year the pick is in, Brown will still be on the Patriots, and it doesn't mean they can't trade into the first if they view a player that highly.
So, things can change. But at least we will know if a trade will be agreed to in just over a week, and we won't have to talk about the what-ifs for much longer.
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