March 29, 2026, 5:05 p.m. ET

April 28, 2022, is a night that will forever live in infamy. Okay, maybe that’s a bit excessive, but it was pretty important. The Philadelphia Eagles executed a trade to land A.J. Brown. As it turns out, that wound up being one of the best moves of Howie Roseman’s tenure as general manager.

So, maybe it is a day that will live forever.

Ask most, and they’ll tell you that it seems the relationship has run its course. Trade talks heated up with reports that the New England Patriots were the top suitor. Then, almost as quickly as they began, they stalled. There are theories stating that those discussions will heat up post-draft. June 1 seems to be a point people cite because of Philadelphia’s ability to split a dead cap hit over two seasons.

What if a move came earlier? What if lightning struck twice, and the Eagles were again involved in a draft-day trade? What if this time they were on the opposite end of the phone, playing the role of the team that traded A.J. Brown elsewhere? Is it possible the Eagles could deal A.J. Brown on the first night of the NFL Draft after landing him in the same round four years earlier?

After all, Howie Roseman has been known to pull off a surprise or two during the selection meeting.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

Think about it. The Los Angeles Rams once seemed as though they were the Patriots’ biggest obstacle to landing A.J. Brown. L.A. dropped out of the race, and now another NFL Draft nears. There is plenty of wide receiver talent available.

The Eagles wanted, at minimum, a first and second-round selection if they were to ship A.J. brown off. That asking price still seems fair after two trades involving some other organizations. The Chicago Bears traded D.J. Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills and landed a 2026 second-round pick in the process. The Miami Dolphins traded Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-rounder (the 111th pick overall). The Denver Broncos sent them three picks, one being a first-rounder.

In addition to the 30th overall selection, the Dolphins scored a third (94th overall), and a fourth-round (130th overall) pick. Seeing that, wouldn’t it stand to reason that A.J. Brown is at least worth a first-round draft choice? By virtue of being the AFC champions, the Patriots’ draft choice, the 31st overall, is just two picks before the top of the second round anyway. That’s a glorified second-rounder, but something tells us that Howie Roseman would take it.

So, for now, most are still targeting June 1, but maybe we should also target draft night. Brown’s trade value only decreases the longer the Eagles wait. Can you imagine how much negotiating power they’d lose if the Patriots selected a wide receiver?