The Patriots have been the main subject in all trade rumors around wide receiver AJ Brown this offseason, but the Eagles continue to make it clear that they are not willing to move on from him just yet. Although that could change around the draft or the June 1 deadline, there's no reason Mike Vrabel and Co. shouldn't explore other trade options at the position.
That has connected them to other rumored candidates over the past month, most recently Rams' Davante Adams. He doesn't exactly fit what the Patriots are looking for, given his age, but he would immediately become the WR1 they hope to find before the 2026 season.
The problem is that while the Rams confirmed they had talks with other teams about moving Adams this year, they are not actively pursuing that. Sean McVay confirmed that this week at the Annual Owner's Meeting, so it looks like the Patriots will have to look elsewhere.
He adds “We are glad he’s a Ram” https://t.co/0kj98ZTbIh
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 30, 2026
As we know, nobody is ever off limits in the NFL, and there is still a chance the Rams could change their stance. It has happened plenty of times before, so the Patriots don't have to back off their interest in Adams, if they had any.
But this should persuade them to look at other candidates, especially since putting all their focus on Brown or any other receiver would be a big mistake.
Davante Adams just got moved to the bottom of the Patriots' trade possibility list
One of the main objectives of this offseason for the Patriots has presumably been to upgrade their receiving corps in a way that immediately elevates not only the position but also the ease with which Drake Maye can perform his job as the quarterback.
They have already moved on from Stefon Diggs but haven't shut the door on him returning, and they signed Romeo Doubs in free agency, but more moves are needed to ensure the offense is in better hands in 2026 than it was this past season.
Adams would certainly help in all aspects, and that's a significant reason the Patriots would be interested in getting him through the door. On top of that, he would presumably be much cheaper to trade for than someone like Brown, given his age, which also makes him appealing.
But there are other rumored trade candidates that should become the Patriots' focus, like Chris Olave and Brian Thomas Jr., both of whom could be strong contributors within their offense.
Trading for Brown shouldn't be off the table, but neither should any of the other receivers that could become available. The Patriots just need to broaden their horizons and really look into who could make the biggest impact, now and in the long term, and who is worth the investment.