A.J. Brown Likely to Be Traded to the Patriots After June 1

What They're Saying

Adam Schefter of ESPN: “The Eagles remain open to trading AJ Brown, the Patriots remain highly interested in acquiring the star receiver, and conversations are expected to resume shortly on or before June 1, likely culminating in a deal, per league sources.

2026 Fantasy Football Impact

As one source said about the Patriots' pursuit of Brown, they'll “definitely be engaging then.”

A trade to New England is now considered likely.”

That deal would ripple through fantasy football.

DeVonta Smith would become the Eagles' clear No. 1 WR. Before Brown arrived, Smith posted a 21.1% target share in 2021. And in Smith's three full games without Brown over the last two seasons, that number jumped to 33%.

Even after adding Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore, the Eagles would still head into 2026 with Smith as their top WR. If A.J. Brown moves on — and the Eagles make no other WR moves — Smith likely jumps into our top 10 WRs in the 2026 PPR rankings.

The Eagles have also shown interest in the 2026 rookie WR class, bringing in Omar Cooper Jr., Chris Bell, and De’Zhaun Stribling for pre-draft visits. All three are expected to be top-100 picks.

Brown joining the Patriots should be at least a lateral move. He ranked ninth in the league with a 27.5% target share in 2025, and he may be able to replicate that with Stefon Diggs off the Patriots and only WR Romeo Doubs added so far this offseason.

There may not be a huge volume boost, though. The Patriots ranked 25th in pass rate at 53.11%; the Eagles ranked 27th at 52.50%. Brown could push the Patriots a bit more toward the pass, but it is doubtful they become much more pass heavy in 2026.

We'll keep watching the Eagles and Patriots through the draft for any move that changes the outlook and projections.