A.J. Brown
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94WIP.com's Eliot Shorr-Parks delivered a warning on how the Philadelphia Eagles have to handle the A.J. Brown trade situation.
The Philadelphia Eagles have held firm on their goal to get top trade value for veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown. The Eagles have done that by presenting the front that they don’t have to trade the wideout this offseason.
94WIP.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks argued, though, the Eagles have to tread lightly in the 2026 NFL Draft if they are going to continue to hold leverage in trade negotiations.
Shorr-Parks explained why on social media Tuesday morning.
“One thing to consider with the NFL Draft and the AJ Brown situation: The Eagles lose basically all trade leverage the second they take a wide receiver in the first round,” wrote Shorr-Parks.
“If they take Boston/Tyson at 23 or move up for Tate, that signals AJ is gone — and impacts the trade return.”
Eliot Shorr-Parks
One thing to consider with the NFL Draft and the AJ Brown situation:
Eagles lose basically all trade leverage the second they take a wide receiver in the first round
If they take Boston/Tyson at 23 or move up for Tate that signals AJ is gone — and impacts the trade return
The Eagles drafting a receiver at No. 23 overall appears to be a possibility. ESPN’s Peter Schrager predicted the team to target Denzel Boston at No. 23 overall in his 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
This offseason, the Eagles have already added receivers Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore in NFL free agency. Of course, Philadelphia still has wideout DeVonta Smith as well.
Should Eagles Not Target WR in First Round Because of A.J. Brown?
Assuming the Eagles trade Brown this spring, it makes a lot of sense for the team to draft a receiver. The Philadelphia passing offense could thrive with Smith and Brown, along with a first-round talent.
Boston could be that guy based on where the Eagles are picking in the first round.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Boston to Los Angeles Rams star wideout Puka Nacua.
“A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness,” wrote Zierlein. “Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.”
Shorrs-Parks floated the possibility of the Eagles being aggressive to move up for one of the top wideouts in the class — Carnell Tate.
But the Eagles insider sees such a move as not only a sign, but a foregone conclusion that Brown will then be traded. If the Eagles are in a situation where they have to deal Brown, then the negotiations with other teams will change.
In Philadelphia’s case, not for the better.
Philadelphia is potentially waiting to trade Brown until after June 1 because of salary cap implications.
If the Eagles trade Brown before June 1, they will accept a $43.44 million dead cap hit according to Over the Cap. That dead cap hit drops to $16.35 million after June 1.
Do the Eagles Really Lose Brown Trade Leverage With WR Selection?
Because of the other receivers the Eagles have on their roster, Shorr-Parks’s argument made sense. With a first-round wideout, the team would have four receivers that could be potential starters in 2026.
Brown would be the obvious man out.
Therefore, some social media users agreed with the Eagles insider.
Others argued the team is going to conduct its draft how it wishes regardless of the Brown situation.
Max
@EliotShorrParks But they don’t. They don’t have to move him at all unless they want to. And they won’t want to unless they get the offer they want.
I’m sure Howie would have no problem at all going into 2026 with AJ, DeVonta, and Tyson in the WR room and figuring out what’s next after that.
There isn’t a rule against a team having four starting caliber receivers.
Mike
@EliotShorrParks The Eagles will never lose leverage. 1) They have the player. 2) They don’t have to trade him. The Patriots can give Howie what he wants, which is fair comparatively to what other WRs were traded for or they can enjoy watching Brown suit up for the Eagles in September again.
John D.
@EliotShorrParks The eagles should take a wide receiver in the first even if they keep AJ.
This, of course, assumes general manager Howie Roseman considers receiver his team’s top need at No. 23 overall.
The Eagles could very well target a safety or edge rusher, making the conversation about whether Philadelphia drafting a receiver impacts Brown’s trade value a moot point.