Patriots could include 23-game starter in trade package to acquire A.J. Brown

Oct 19, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) makes a catch during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots are counting down the days till they can acquire wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles.

All signs point to the Patriots trading for Brown after June 1, as the Eagles would eat significantly less dead cap by moving the former All-Pro receiver after May concludes.

Till then, New England has time to put together an enticing package for Philadelphia to add Brown, and the Patriots could include a veteran starter in the deal.

Patriots could trade Kayshon Boutte in package for A.J. Brown

The Athletic's Chad Graff laid out the two most likely trade packages for Brown to land in New England. One possible trade is the Patriots sending a 2028 first-round pick to the Eagles, but the other is a 2027 second-round pick and receiver Kayshon Boutte heading to Philadelphia.

"The two most likely packages for Brown seem to be a 2028 first-round pick or a 2027 second-round pick plus a player such as wide receiver Kayshon Boutte," Graff said.

Boutte started 10 games for the Patriots last season, tallying 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns. The LSU product established himself as an explosive playmaker for quarterback Drake Maye, as all of Boutte's scores in 2025 were over 20 yards.

However, trading Boutte for Brown is a no-brainer. Though Boutte is still young and ascending, Brown is one of the top receivers in football and would immediately step in as the top player on New England's offense.

We'll see what the package looks like involving Brown heading to the Patriots, but it sounds like Boutte could be a part of the deal.