What experts think a possible A.J. Brown trade could look like for the Patriots

Future draft picks could be at the center of the potential trade.

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown during a game against the Bears in 2025. AP Photo/Matt Slocum

April 30, 2026 | 11:26 AM

3 minutes to read

Looking at a possible A.J. Brown Patriots trade: Unless you’re a Patriots fan who’s been living under Plymouth Rock (a difficult feat considering its actual size in modern times), you’ve probably heard the A.J. Brown trade rumors.

The ongoing subplot has (until recently) been arguably the dominant storyline of New England’s offseason. The speculation of a potential deal has somehow only seemed to grow, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter noting earlier in April that the talented 28-year-old wide receiver is “likely to become a Patriot post June 1.”

As for the terms of the deal, several NFL experts have taken a swing at it.

Schefter himself recently outlined that given the circumstances, New England could end up parting ways with a 2028 first-round pick (preferring to avoid dealing next year’s top pick).

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer concurred that future picks could be at the center of the deal, adding that it’s “one of the advantages that somebody like Howie [Roseman] has because he has job security.”

“There are a lot of guys who aren’t as willing to because it might be somebody else making that pick by the time we get there,” Breer said as a guest on the “Between the Tackles” podcast.

Roseman, who has been Philadelphia’s general manager since 2010, has helped build two Super Bowl winners. He’s also, as Breer explained, a “creative” trade negotiator.

In that same spirit, the terms of a possible Brown-to-the-Patriots trade could take some additional shape.

Chad Graff of The Athletic offered the most recent overview, explaining that while the 2028 first-round pick price could end up being the crux of the deal, there are alternatives.

“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 wrote.

Boutte, 23, produced his best NFL season in 2025. Helping Drake Maye emergence as an MVP candidate, Boutte caught 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns.

Graff concluded that, “Perhaps there’s benefit to packaging Boutte with a second-round pick since Boutte’s role would be diminished with Brown on the roster anyway, and it would allow them to land a top-end wide receiver without giving up a first-round pick.”

Scores and schedules:

The Red Sox lost to the Blue Jays 8-1 on Wednesday. Boston begins a three-game series against the Astros at Fenway Park on Friday at 7:10 p.m.

Tonight, the Celtics face the 76ers in Philadelphia for Game 6 of the first-round playoff series. Boston leads 3-2, with tipoff set for 8 p.m.

The Bruins also face a Game 6, set to play the Sabres in Boston on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Buffalo leads the series 3-2.

The Fleet begin the 2026 PWHL playoffs at the Tsongas Center against the Ottawa Charge at 7 p.m.

Boston Legacy FC got their first point in club history on Wednesday night, securing a 2-2 home draw against the North Carolina Courage.

Also from Wednesday, the Revolution lost to Orlando City 4-3 at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket in a U.S. Open Cup game.

More from Boston.com:

Looking back on a memorable game: As Wednesday (April 29) was the 40th anniversary of Roger Clemens’s first 20-strikeout performance in 1986, “The Rocket” — a nickname he earned as a result of his record-setting night — sat down with MLB Network to discuss the famous start.

On this day: In 2021, during a regular season game (due to the schedule changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic) Jayson Tatum tied Larry Bird’s franchise record for points in a game with 60 in a 143-140 win over the Spurs.

Daily highlight: Alba Caño scored the Legacy’s second ever goal on Wednesday in the eventual draw against North Carolina.

Boston Legacy’s second ever goal by Alba Caño!! 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/mR29IO1MrC

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 29, 2026

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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