A.J. Brown Trade Market: Browns Offer No. 24 Pick for 1,003-Yard Receiver

Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown recorded 78 catches and seven touchdowns last season, sparking trade interest from Cleveland and Buffalo.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown finished the 2025 season with 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite these statistics, internal frustrations regarding the passing game led to a November video where Brown described the situation as a "s--- show." Philadelphia faces a significant financial hurdle if they move the star before June 1, as the team would absorb a dead-cap hit exceeding $40 million. Conversely, waiting until after that date reduces the dead-cap penalty to less than $20 million. Any acquiring franchise would inherit a $29 million salary for the 2026 season and approximately $4 million in guaranteed money for 2027.

Brown has established himself as a premier talent in franchise history, securing two 1,400-yard seasons and contributing to two Super Bowl appearances over a four-year span. However, his public dissatisfaction required an intervention from CEO Jeffrey Lurie, who requested the receiver tone down his public airings. If General Manager Howie Roseman decides to move on, the freed-up capital could be redirected toward second contracts for rising defensive stars Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean. While official trades cannot be processed until the new league year starts on March 11, negotiations can begin beforehand.

Cleveland Browns Offer No. 24 Overall Pick

Analyst Jeremy Fowler proposes a deal where the Cleveland Browns send the No. 24 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to Philadelphia in exchange for Brown. This specific pick became available after a trade involving Travis Hunter last April, leaving Cleveland with both the No. 6 and No. 24 selections. The Browns' current wide receiver room struggled significantly in 2025, producing a league-low 1,467 receiving yards.

Acquiring Brown would provide an immediate weapon for new head coach Todd Monken’s offensive system. Browns General Manager Andrew Berry, a former Eagles executive, maintains a working rapport with Roseman. Berry has a documented history of aggressive moves for veteran receivers, having previously traded for Odell Beckham Jr., Amari Cooper, and Jerry Jeudy. Notably, all three of those players surpassed the 1,000-yard mark during their inaugural seasons in Cleveland.

Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots Proposals

Dan Graziano suggests the Buffalo Bills should part with the No. 26 overall pick in 2026 to secure Brown. This move aims to provide quarterback Josh Allen with a definitive No. 1 target to stress opposing defenses. From the Eagles' perspective, receiving a first-round pick for a 28-year-old receiver with limited remaining guaranteed money represents a viable return. Buffalo’s current roster trajectory suggests a "win-now" window where a veteran impact player is preferred over a late first-round rookie.

Seth Walder outlines a more complex swap with the New England Patriots. In this scenario, the Patriots would receive Brown and the No. 54 overall pick (a 2026 second-rounder). In return, Philadelphia would acquire the No. 31 overall pick, the No. 95 overall pick (third round), and a 2026 sixth-round selection. The Patriots reached the Super Bowl despite Stefon Diggs being their only player to exceed 600 receiving yards. Brown’s history with coach Mike Vrabel in Tennessee makes him a logical fit for a New England offense seeking to maintain its AFC standing against elite quarterbacks. Despite a statistical dip, Brown ranked sixth in ESPN’s overall receiver score and remained in the top 10 for open score metrics.

Baltimore Ravens Seek Size and Contested-Catch Ability

Ben Solak projects a trade with the Baltimore Ravens centered on 2027 draft capital. The Ravens would send a 2027 second-round pick, a 2027 fourth-round pick—which could escalate to a third-rounder based on conditions—and wide receiver Rashod Bateman to the Eagles. The conditional pick hinges on Brown reaching 1,000 yards and Baltimore making the 2026 playoffs. This trade addresses a perceived lack of size and contested-catch ability in Lamar Jackson’s current arsenal, which was highlighted during the 2025 season.

For Philadelphia, Bateman represents a "buy-low" opportunity on a player with high draft capital but modest career production. This move would officially elevate DeVonta Smith to the WR1 role. However, Eagles reporter Tim McManus notes that if a trade were mandatory, the Cleveland offer is the most attractive because the No. 24 pick is higher than Buffalo’s No. 26. Despite the various proposals, the Eagles' current stance remains focused on reconciliation, as Roseman has publicly downplayed trade talks and expressed a desire to keep the star paired with quarterback Jalen Hurts.