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A.J. Brown appears headed to the Patriots, according to a top NFL insider.
The Buffalo Bills took a big swing at improving their wide receiving corps when they traded for DJ Moore, a move that likely put them out of the running for another significant rumored trade.
The Bills were once seen as frontrunners to land Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown, who hit the trade block amid a split with the team. A new report indicates that the Bills are not only out of the running for the Pro Bowl receiver, but could now watch him land with a division rival.
Top Rival Took Lead in A.J. Brown Sweepstakes
SI.com’s Albert Breer reported that the Bills dropped out of the mix for Brown, leaving the New England Patriots as the last team standing. While the Patriots and Eagles weren’t able to make a deal, a recent signing from the Eagles could give them motivation to try again.
“Meanwhile, the Eagles reached an agreement with Dallas Goedert on a reworked one-year deal, which allows them to free up some cap space (they’re nearly out of contracts left to restructure) and continue to consider their options for the rest of the offseason,” Breer reported. “That could mean trading Brown. But I don’t think it makes it inevitable, as some people may have surmised over the past few days.”
Breer noted that the Eagles have some options on what to do next, but trading Brown could once again be a logical move.
“The reality is the Eagles needed breathing room, Goedert could give them that on a new deal, and Philly really wanted to keep him separate from all that,” Breer wrote. “So they work something out, and it opens some options. Trading Brown is one, but trading Brown would mean replacing him, too. And moving him after June 1 would give Philly the chance to spread the cap damage out, even if that’s more kicking the can down the proverbial road.”
Bills’ Rival Making More Moves
It’s not clear if the Bills or any other former suitor could jump back into the mix if the Eagles try again, but the Patriots are still considered the frontrunner and the only team with a real intention to land him. The Patriots parted ways with top receiver Stefon Diggs in a cap-saving move, and will need a new No. 1 receiver in their bid to defend their AFC title.
The Bills could also make more additions after having landed Moore in a trade with the Bears. Some analysts believe the Bills will use their first-round draft pick to add more youth to the wide receiver room, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.
Kiper predicted the Bills would land Washington Huskies receiver Denzel Boston.
“Boston’s hands, catch radius and vision would quickly make him a go-to option for quarterback Josh Allen,” Kiper wrote. “He finished with 881 yards and 11 scores last season, bullying opposing cornerbacks along the way.”
“Buffalo’s receiver room has a lot of questions and lacks a true WR1, all due respect to Khalil Shakir,” Kiper added. “After being called out by ownership last month, Keon Coleman‘s future with the team is murky. Brandin Cooks and Gabe Davis are free agents. Joshua Palmer was injured and limited to 22 catches on the season. And Tyrell Shavers tore an ACL in the playoffs. So, this one seems obvious.”
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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