Morning Sports Update

How a possible A.J. Brown trade affects the Patriots’ draft strategy

"If they don't trade for A.J. Brown, they need a receiver."

A.J. Brown Patriots trade rumors Eagles NFL Draft
A.J. Brown scores a touchdown for the Eagles during the 2025 NFL season. AP Photo/Abbie Parr

By Hayden Bird

4 minutes to read

The A.J. Brown factor’s impact on the Patriots and the NFL Draft: The same A.J. Brown-shaped clouds of uncertainty that have lingered over the Patriots‘ offseason appear to be taking shape over the upcoming NFL Draft.

Brown, the talented 28-year-old wide receiver for the Eagles, has been linked to a possible Patriots trade for months. To this point, the two teams have failed to reach an agreement for a trade, but the speculation that it could still happen has persisted.

The driving force behind the rumors has been both Brown’s circumstances — a background playing for Mike Vrabel, among other factors — as well as New England’s need to add to its wide receiver depth.

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As the same positional need continues to exist (with no trade for Brown agreed to), wide receiver is also a potential priority for the Patriots at the draft. This was a point of discussion for ESPN NFL Draft experts Mina Kimes and Field Yates during a recent “NFL Live” segment.

Asked how New England can “balance immediate needs with best value” for selecting at the 31st pick, Kimes referenced the ongoing Brown trade rumor saga.

“This is so hard to answer without knowing what’s going to happen with A.J. Brown, because if they’re trading for A.J. Brown, they don’t need a receiver,” said Kimes. “If they don’t trade for A.J. Brown, they need a receiver.

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“There is one that has some traits that are similar to A.J. Brown that I would love for them, and that’s Washington’s Denzel Boston,” Kimes continued. “Really a prototypical X-receiver, big body, contested catch ability, great body control. I think he’s smoother with the ball in his hands than we give him credit for. We have a quarterback in Drake Maye who is an aggressive thrower of the football downfield, so I would love that match.”

Boston, 22, totaled 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025 for Washington.

That said, the Patriots have other (potentially bigger) priorities for the roster.

“Edge rusher is most glaring need, followed by potentially tight end and offensive line depth,” Kimes noted of other potential positions to draft for.

Yates made the case for adding to the defensive line given quarterback Drake Maye’s ability to elevate players around him.

“I would just say, philosophically, if the Patriots are on the board and they have comparable ranked players at pass rusher and wide receiver, independently of the A.J. Brown negotiations — whatever those might or might not be — I believe Drake Maye has the capacity to take a solid or average group of pass-catchers,” said Yates, “and make a very good offense more so than I believe the Patriots’ current pass-rush can lead them to be a dominant defense in critical moments.

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“I just don’t know that I see a difference-making edge rusher right now on the roster,” Yates explained. “If one is available at 31 and they’ve got a wide receiver graded comparatively, I lean toward pass-rusher because Drake Maye can be the rising tide for any group of wide receivers this team has.”

NFL insider Adam Schefter weighed in, leaving the door open for a possible Brown trade to still go through.

“My sense would be that they would feel confident enough in the idea that they could eventually land A.J. Brown that they could go ahead and comfortably select that pass-rusher that you’re talking about, or whatever position it is that’s out there.”

Kimes concluded by pointing out that while Boston would be a good fit for the Patriots, he would also make a good match for the Eagles should Philadelphia end up trading Brown. Studying who teams draft could be an indicator for a potential trade later in the offseason.

“This is a great example of how you can learn a little bit about what is going to happen in the future from the draft, watching these teams, how they maneuver, and who they go after.”

Trivia: The highest-drafted wide receiver in Patriots history was a pass-catcher New England selected first overall. Can you name that player?

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(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: 1984 NFL Draft.

Scores and schedules:

Tonight, the Bruins close out the regular season at TD Garden against the Devils at 7 p.m.

The Red Sox lost to the Twins 13-6 on Monday in a tough start for Garrett Crochet. The two teams meet again this evening in Minnesota at 7:40 p.m.

Also tonight, the Revolution face Rhode Island FC at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket at 7 p.m. in a U.S. Open Cup clash.

On Wednesday, the Boston Fleet play the Minnesota Frost at the Tsongas Center at 7 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Rich Eisen’s SportsCenter return: The longtime former anchor recently made his way back to ESPN’s flagship program.

On this day: In 1967, Red Sox left-handed rookie Billy Rohr made his MLB debut at Yankee Stadium and almost walked away with a historical feat in a 3-0 win. The 21-year-old came one out away from a no-hitter, but fell just short after finally yielding a single to Elston Howard.

The game was highlighted by an iconic catch from Carl Yastrzemski in left field to preserve the then still-alive bid for a no-hitter:

Daily highlight: Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler adjusted his positioning without taking his eye off the ball to rob a Rangers home run (though Texans won in the end 8-1).

Trivia answer: Irving Fryar

Hayden Bird

Sports Staff

Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.

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