The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and A.J. Brown is still a member of the Eagles.
Until that changes, Patriots fans will have questions about a potential trade for Brown.
We answer those in this week’s mailbag, plus additional questions about other trade candidates and potential scenarios in this year’s draft.
@greenleaf_chris: What would you be willing to give in 27 draft picks for AJB?
I know it might not work out this way, but I would prefer trading a first-round pick in 2026 rather than a first-rounder next year. The 2026 draft is weak, while next year’s class looks much better. It’s also, realistically, unlikely that the Patriots will be picking as late as 31st overall again next year.
Regardless, I think a package similar to what the Broncos gave up for Jaylen Waddle is fair. The Broncos traded first-, third-, and fourth-round picks to the Dolphins for Waddle and a fourth-round pick. By swapping fourth-round picks, the Broncos moved up 19 spots.
Brown is a year and a half older than Waddle, but he’s also a better and more valuable player, given his production, size and role.
The chances of the Patriots selecting a player as valuable as Brown in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft seem slim. There’s more uncertainty if they’re trading a pick next year.
That being said, if the Eagles don’t want to take on Brown’s dead cap before June 1, then there’s not much the Patriots can do about it.
@Thecolours: Instead of giving up a 1st, 3rd and a player for AJ Brown, why not call up Atlanta (who doesn’t have a first round pick) and offer them a 1st, 2nd and a player for Drake London? He would be a force in this offense.
I like the idea of trading for London, but that’s a hefty package for a player who has never been named an All-Pro nor been selected to a Pro Bowl and has just one 1,000-yard season.
There’s also no reason for the Falcons to want to trade London. Their wide receiver corps might be the NFL’s worst without London part of it.
@BradLevy12: Assuming that aj brown won’t get traded before 6/1, do you think the pats would come to a handshake agreement before the draft and pick players for eagles in draft ro trade them away after 6/1?
No. It’s a good thought, but that’s too risky in case the deal falls through for any reason.
@zomps11: Do you feel it’s a better move to trade back to pick twice in the second round. Target LBs and WRS for second round. Third round hit a TE.
If a team is willing to trade back up into the first round, then yes, potentially. Edge defenders Cashius Howell, Zion Young, Malachi Lawrence, R Mason Thomas and Derrick Moore all could be selected in the second round. Tackles Max Iheanachor and Caleb Tiernan and wide receivers Chris Bell, Chris Brazzell, Germie Bernard and Malachi Fields also could be fits.
Perhaps a team could be willing to trade back into the first round for a quarterback like Ty Simpson?
@Castles_Burning: How great is Adam Randall going to look in a Patriots uniform?
A 6-foot-3, 232-pound running back? Sign me up.
Randall, 21, looks like a great late-round flier for the Patriots. He converted from wide receiver and rushed for 814 yards on 168 carries with 10 touchdowns in 2025. He finished his four-year career at Clemson with 84 catches for 787 yards with five touchdowns.
Clemson running back Adam Randall celebrates after a touchdown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Given his lack of experience at running back, Randall is still a bit of a project, but he was a four-star recruit and has impressive speed and strength for his size. The Patriots need a third running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, and a player like Randall could compete with Lan Larison and Terrell Jennings for the role.
@thatghosthouse: Is there anyone you’d advocate NE trading up for in round 1?
I don’t love the idea of trading up in the first round, but I could be convinced if one of the top wide receivers, like Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson or USC’s Makai Lemon, starts to fall.
A hamstring injury limited Tyson during the 2025 season and has continued to bother him through the pre-draft process. Perhaps that could scare some teams picking above the Patriots at No. 31 overall. But he has prototypical size for an X wide receiver, which the Patriots need.
Lemon is more of a slot receiver, but he had a fantastic junior campaign, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards with 11 touchdowns.
@mrtoothpasteeee: is there any chance that we (A get Denzel Boston? B) unretire 12 for him
A. Yes.
B. No.
I like Boston. Like Tyson, he has great size for an X wide receiver and won with his strength in contested catch situations. It’s a little bit concerning that he didn’t run a 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process, and he never flashed elite speed at Washington. But he’s also a 6-foot-4, 212-pound wide receiver with the agility to return a punt for a touchdown.