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Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) reacts after an unsuccessful play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The New England Patriots aren't guaranteed to trade for A.J. Brown, but it seems that at this point the rumors point to it happening at some point in the offseason.
And that can allow for some reading between the lines with the 2026 NFL Draft having arrived this week.
What the Pats choose to do in the draft very well could be influenced by the presumed Brown trade down the road.
Sure, that would show up most obviously in the Patriots potentially avoiding the WR position with the assumption that they'll get Brown later.
But it also matters in other ways.
This is what The Athletic's Chad Graff wrote on X on Wednesday, for example:
"I'm still seeing buzz about the Patriots drafting OT first round, but I keep coming back to this: Are the Pats -- while going all-in on this season with a likely AJ Brown trade -- really going to bench their first-round pick all year? To me, there's much bigger needs elsewhere for 2026."
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Graff goes on to write in an article that he believes that Patriots should target an edge rusher in the first round.
It's definitely a fair point. New England has Will Campbell and Morgan Moses to bookend the offensive line.
Sure, injuries happen, but a first-round pick isn't used on a guy who can fill in for an injury.
The Patriots just played in the Super Bowl. They owe it to their full roster to have the most well-rounded team possible, particularly if they take the big swing to get Brown before the season.
It wouldn't make sense to go for it with Brown, then draft a temporary backup in the first round.
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