The [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) traded for A.J. Brown on Monday, but they initially did not think he was worth a first-round pick.
It was long believed the Philadelphia Eagles wanted a first-round pick for A.J. Brown. The Patriots gave up a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick for Brown. Although they gave up a first-round pick, Ian Rapoport reported that most teams value a 2028 first-rounder as a 2027 second-round pick, which is what the Patriots valued Brown at.
"The Philadelphia Eagles wanted a (first-round pick) for A.J. Brown, and the Patriots did not believe that that was his worth, " Rapoport said on "Good Morning Football" on Wednesday. "They believed he was worth a 2027 second-round pick. The way the two teams compromised was this. Instead of a 2027 first-rounder, it was a 2028 first-rounder. Most teams believe that the value of a first-rounder the following year loses a round."
Ultimately, the Patriots still gave up a first-round pick. However, perhaps judging based on the talent coming out of college next season versus the year after, they did not really lose out on as much.
Additionally, if Brown plays as well as the Patriots think he will, their first-round pick in 2028 may be very late in the first round anyway. It won't matter what the Patriots gave up if Brown helps bring a Lombardi Trophy to New England as he did with Philadelphia.
**_More NFL: [Nick Wright Issues Warning To Patriots After A.J. Brown Blockbuster](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots/news/nick-wright-issues-warning-patriots-after-aj-brown-blockbuster/42ad491becd1faa522b9785a)_**