Patriots acquire A.J. Brown from Eagles in draft pick swap

The New England Patriots have acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The transaction, which was finalised on Monday, establishes Brown as the primary receiving target for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye.

Brown, who turns 29 on June 30, is expected to serve as the alpha in New England’s passing game. He follows the Patriots’ decision to move on from Stefon Diggs, who is now a free agent, and complements the addition of Romeo Doubs this offseason. While other receivers such as Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Kyle Williams, and DeMario Douglas remain on the roster, Brown is positioned as the focal point of the offence.

In the final seven games of the 2025 regular season, Brown averaged 18.6 PPR points, including five games with at least 10 targets and three games with over 100 receiving yards. This performance contrasts with his overall 2025 average of 14.7 PPR points, where he recorded 78 catches for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns on 121 targets. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is expected to maintain Brown’s high target volume, which averaged 8.4 targets per game during his tenure in Philadelphia.

For the Eagles, the trade elevates DeVonta Smith to the top receiving role. Smith is supported by rookie Makai Lemon and veterans Marquise Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and Elijah Moore. Over three games played without Brown in the past two seasons, Smith averaged 16.6 PPR points and 9.7 targets per game. Rookie Lemon, a Biletnikoff Award winner at USC, is also poised to challenge for significant playing time.

Philadelphia has also appointed Sean Mannion as its new offensive coordinator, replacing Kevin Patullo. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who averaged 22.1 Fantasy points in four games without Brown over the past two seasons, will look to Mannion’s scheme to maintain high-level production. Running back Saquon Barkley, who averaged 35 receptions for 276 yards and two touchdowns on 47 targets in two seasons with the Eagles, may see increased usage in the passing game.