A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver #11
A.J. Brown News
A.J. Brown's WR1 Ceiling Is Back in Play
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown has looked comfortable in his new offense from the start. Brown still caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games with Philadelphia last season, but his move to New England gave him a chance to pair with Drake Maye after a frustrating year in the Eagles' passing game. That connection showed up throughout camp. Brown beat Christian Gonzalez on a double move for a long touchdown on July 31, then got behind the defense again for another would-be score on Aug. 17. Two days later, he was one of New England's standouts during a joint practice with Philadelphia as Maye kept finding him downfield. The Patriots rested Brown in all three preseason games, so there was no reason to risk the new No. 1 receiver in exhibition action. RotoBaller has him at WR9 in its latest half-PPR rankings. Brown was already a proven fantasy option, but a strong first summer with Maye has pushed his WR1 ceiling back into focus.
Sep 3, 2026 7:29 AM EST
A.J. Brown Not Suiting Up Thursday Against the Browns
According to Evan Lazar, senior reporter for the Patriots, star wide receiver A.J. Brown will not be playing Thursday night in the Patriots' final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Brown is one of 37 Patriots not in uniform tonight, which indicates the team will be resting a majority of its key starters. Brown did not record any preseason stats in any of the three Patriots preseason games, but reports from camp have suggested good chemistry with third-year quarterback Drake Maye. Brown enters his eighth NFL season at 29 years old and his first season with the Patriots, where he should be the clear alpha in the wide receiver room. Brown has recorded north of 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first seven seasons and has scored seven-plus touchdowns in seven of his eight seasons. He projects to be a WR1 for fantasy managers and is one of the trendiest names in fantasy football entering the 2026 season.
Aug 27, 2026 5:25 PM EST
A.J. Brown Dominates Eagles
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown had his best practice of camp Wednesday, catching all seven of his targets against his former Philadelphia Eagles teammates, according to Mark Daniels. Brown got going early with a slant against Riq Woolen, then kept finding openings throughout the two-hour joint session. He also beat Quinyon Mitchell during 11-on-11 work and came down with a 30-yard grab over Woolen with Drake Maye under pressure. Seven looks, seven catches. That was his busiest day since arriving in New England. Brown said afterward that he is now 100% comfortable in the Patriots offense after putting himself at about 90% earlier in camp. He caught 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games for Philadelphia last season before New England traded for him in June. The Patriots brought Brown in to give Maye a proven top target. He looked every bit like one against his old team Wednesday.
Aug 19, 2026 11:14 AM EST
A.J. Brown Has Been "Nearly Unstoppable" at Patriots Practice
The New England Patriots sent a first and fifth-round pick to acquire three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in early May, and as he continues to acclimate to his new surroundings, he has gotten better and better throughout the summer, impressing team reporter Paul Perillo with the suddenness of his routes. During Saturday's practice, he separated quickly during goal-line work for what looked to be an easy score, and Perillo noted that he has "been nearly unstoppable running slants from various positions on the field." With free agent acquisition Romeo Doubs also coming on of late, expectations continue to rise for the Patriots' passing offense, but as the regular season edges closer, there's been little doubt about who Drake Maye's go-to receiver will be in 2026, and Brown is RotoBaller's WR9.
Aug 16, 2026 5:12 AM EST
A.J. Brown a Top Target at Joint Practice
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown was a top target during the team's joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Brown remained the top option in team drills, finding the ball early and often, and led the team with five receptions, including one that would've been a touchdown. The former Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles wideout was traded to the AFC Champions in early June and initially struggled to connect with quarterback Drake Maye. Now, both appear to be on the same page, and Brown looks poised for a massive year in New England. The seven-year wideout has had six 1,000-yard seasons and might have his best quarterback yet in Maye, while Maye has yet to play with a talent like Brown. This connection could break fantasy in 2026, and fantasy managers should look to buy into this duo.
Aug 12, 2026 7:42 PM EST
A.J. Brown Keeps Practicing After Dislocating Thumb
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (thumb) stayed on the field after dislocating his left thumb during Monday's practice, according to Doug Kyed. The injury happened during a one-on-one rep against Christian Gonzalez. Brown put the thumb back in place, was checked by the medical staff, and returned with a brace. He remained a full participant and finished with four catches, including three during 11-on-11 work. Brown joined New England in a June trade after catching 78 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games for Philadelphia last season. His ability to finish practice is reassuring, but the injury still bears watching because it could affect his comfort catching the ball over the next few days. For now, there is no indication that Brown is facing an extended absence, and his fantasy outlook remains unchanged unless the thumb becomes more troublesome.
Aug 3, 2026 10:15 AM EST
A.J. Brown Shows More Chemistry With New QB on Thursday
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Drake Maye struggled to get their connection going in the early days of training camp, with Maye going 4-for-9 with an interception when targeting Brown. However, in a padded practice on Thursday, the two started to turn things around, with Maye matching that production and hitting Brown four of five times, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive.com. One of Brown's catches came against star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, with another one coming against Charles Woods for a touchdown. Thursday's practice could be a sign of things to come for Brown and Maye as they begin to build their chemistry for the 2026 regular season. The Patriots suddenly have a pretty crowded WR room with Romeo Doubbs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism, but after the Pats sent the Philadelphia Eagles a first-rounder, Brown should be the unquestioned alpha WR1 in New England. Brown showed signs of decline in 2025 in Philly's stagnant offense, averaging a career-low 12.9 yards per catch, but he also had his sixth 1,000-yard campaign. In what should be a more explosive Patriots' passing game, Brown should be considered a low-end WR1, at worst.
Jul 30, 2026 11:17 AM EST
A.J. Brown Off to Slow Start With New Quarterback
It has been a slow start in terms of the connection between New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and new wide receiver A.J. Brown in three-plus days of training camp, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald. Maye is 1-for-7 with an interception when targeting Brown in team drills, and his only completion was a wide-open quick out. So far, the two are far off on deeper routes. It's not what Patriots fans want to hear, but it's still very early in camp, and the two should smooth things out, especially deep down the field, which was a specialty for Maye in 2025. The Patriots gave the Philadelphia Eagles a first-round pick for the 29-year-old Brown this offseason to become their new No. 1 pass-catcher. The three-time Pro Bowler had his sixth 1,000-yard campaign in 2025 in his final year in Philly, but he also averaged a career-low 12.9 yards per catch in 15 regular-season starts. Fantasy managers are expecting Brown's ceiling to be higher in a more explosive offense this year. In early drafts, Brown is being taken as a low-end WR1 in his new home, where he should be heavily targeted by Maye.
Jul 28, 2026 8:45 AM EST
Mike Vrabel Downplays A.J. Brown Knee Concerns
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel pushed back Monday on reports about wide receiver A.J. Brown's knee, saying the team is "very confident" in where Brown stands physically, according to Doug Kyed. Vrabel said Brown has done everything asked of him through the first two training camp practices and has made a strong start while acclimating to his new team. Brown will not participate in every activity, but Vrabel indicated that those decisions will be made by the coaching and medical staffs, as New England has done with other veterans during camp. The Patriots were aware of wear and tear in Brown's right knee before acquiring him from Philadelphia, and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said the team's medical staff approved the trade. Brown also passed his physical before joining the Patriots for offseason practices. The 29-year-old caught 78 of 121 targets for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games last season, extending his streak to four consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. Vrabel's comments are encouraging for Brown's 2026 fantasy outlook, though fantasy managers should expect New England to manage his practice workload when needed.
Jul 27, 2026 11:18 AM EST
A.J. Brown to be a Game-Changer for Patriots Offense?
The New England Patriots traded for Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown because of his ability to change the narrative of the game and dictate the defense's coverage. Veteran Patriots safety Kevin Byard attested to Brown's ability to shape what a defense does on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday. Byard called Brown a "phenomenal athlete, phenomenal talent." The presence of the 29-year-old should give young quarterback Drake Maye better matchups across the board, even if Brown is covered deep down the field. "I mean, that's what A.J. does best. He's gonna run those slants, those quick dig routes, those go balls. I don't think anybody in the league is better than him when it comes to those routes and being able to break a tackle and take it the distance," Byard said. The one-two punch of Brown and Romeo Doubs will give New England a much more formidable air attack in Maye's third season. Brown had his sixth 1,000-yard season in 2025 in his final year with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, but he averaged a career-low 12.9 yards per catch. A move to the Pats with a QB like Maye who excels on deep passes should make Brown more interesting as a low-end WR1 in fantasy football in his eighth year in the NFL.
Jul 14, 2026 11:33 AM EST
Is A.J. Brown Overvalued By Current Redraft ADP?
After spending the last four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown is entering his first campaign with the New England Patriots in 2026. Across 15 games with Philadelphia in 2025, Brown recorded 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns on 121 targets, finishing as the WR11 in per-game PPR scoring. Brown's target volume in the Eagles' run-heavy offense was a point of discussion all year long, as the wideout publicly agitated for more opportunities at multiple points throughout the season. While Brown profiles as the clear number one option in the Patriots' passing game, New England was also a run-heavy offense in 2025, ranking 25th in the NFL in pass rate. Brown is also entering his age-29 season and has had durability issues in recent years, missing six games over the last two seasons due to knee and hamstring issues. While Brown should be a productive player for fantasy managers in 2026, he may be slightly overvalued as the WR8 by current average draft position.
Jun 28, 2026 11:28 AM EST
Patriots Don't Expect A.J. Brown to be Limited Physically
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown has had issues with his knees in the past, but the Patriots did their homework before acquiring him from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday for a first-rounder in 2028 and a fifth-rounder in 2027, and they don't believe it will be something that limits him in 2026, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. The Pats targeted the disgruntled Brown with a vision on maximizing quarterback Drake Maye's rookie contract window over the next couple of years. Brown is known to be fiery, competitive, and outspoken, but New England believes it will be a strength, especially since he's happy and exactly where he wants to be with a head coach that he played for before with the Tennessee Titans to begin his NFL career. The 28-year-old will be the unquestioned No. 1 target for Maye in his new digs, even though the Pats signed Romeo Doubs in free agency. Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler, had his sixth 1,000-yard season in 2025 in Philly, but he also had a career-low 12.9 yards per catch. He'll come at a slight discount in fantasy drafts but will remain a high-risk, high-reward low-end WR1/high-end WR2 in a Patriots offense that should offer much more passing-game volume.
Jun 4, 2026 4:40 PM EST
A.J. Brown Traded to Patriots in Blockbuster Deal
The Philadelphia Eagles have traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Both teams have been linked for a potential trade through most of the offseason, and the agreement has finally been reached. Brown began his career with the Titans but has since moved to the Eagles, where he turned in four-straight 1,000-yard campaigns. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Brown tallied at least 1,400 yards in each campaign. The veteran pass catcher will now operate as the clear WR1 in a New England offense and catch passes from Drake Maye, who was the MVP runner-up during the 2025 campaign. In Philadelphia, Jalen Hurts will now look to DeVonta Smith to be his WR1, and potentially first-round pick Makai Lemon as the No. 2 option.
Jun 1, 2026 1:10 PM EST
A.J. Brown Could Be Dealt Within Next 24 Hours
With the calendar flipping to June, all eyes are now squarely on the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown. For months, the date of June 1st has been circled as a threshold that would need to be crossed for the Eagles to face less severe salary cap ramifications in trading away the disgruntled wideout, and NBC Philadelphia's John Clark notes that the deal could now be done within the next 24 hours. The window for any trade to become official opens at 4pm ET on Monday, with speculation that the most likely compensation for the soon-to-be-29-year-old Brown could be New England's 2028 first-round pick. Brown is currently RotoBaller's dynasty WR20, and while many in the dynasty community have unofficially viewed him as a Patriot for weeks or even months, he is naturally likely to see a value spike if and when a deal officially ties him to 23-year-old MVP runner-up Drake Maye.
Jun 1, 2026 5:13 AM EST
Eagles, Patriots "Not Particularly Close" to A.J. Brown Deal
Although the Philadelphia Eagles are expected to trade wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots after Monday, June, 1, the two sides are "not particularly close" to pulling something off immediately next week, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The Eagles want a 2027 first-rounder in exchange for Brown, and the Patriots reportedly do not want to give up a 2027 first-rounder, as of right now. New England remains the most likely destination for Brown before the 2026 regular season, but another suitor could emerge if the Eagles and Patriots are struggling to work out a deal that pleases both sides. Schefter said that trade talks surrounding Brown could drag on for the "foreseeable future." The Eagles' moves this offseason -- trading for Dontayvion Wicks and drafting Makai Lemon in the first round -- have all pointed to Brown being moved, so that's still the likely resolution. The Pats signed Romeo Doubs in free agency, but they also cut Stefon Diggs and are looking for a true No. 1 wideout like Brown. Brown had his sixth 1,000-receiving season in 2025, but he averaged a career-low 12.9 yards per catch in 15 starts in his fourth and likely last year in Philly.
May 28, 2026 8:19 AM EST
Eagles to Receive a First-Round Pick if They Trade A.J. Brown?
ESPN's Adam Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show this week that he thinks the Philadelphia Eagles will receive a first-round pick for wide receiver A.J. Brown from the New England Patriots when the trade "comes together" on June 1. The Eagles have been open to moving Brown after June 1 all along, and the New England Patriots really want Brown, even though they signed Romeo Doubs in free agency in March. Schefter believes the Patriots will end up sending a 2028 first-rounder to Philly, and receiver Kayshon Boutte could be headed to Philly as part of the package. The 28-year-old Brown, who was a second-rounder by the Tennessee Titans in 2019 out of Mississippi, may have worn out his welcome in Philly in 2025, when he openly complained about his role on offense. Brown still finished with his sixth 1,000-yard season in seven NFL campaigns, but he also had a career-low 12.9 yards per catch and was as up-and-down as a 1,000-yard receiver can be. A move to New England to work with young QB Drake Maye could reinvigorate Brown as he enters his eighth NFL season in 2026. He'd immediately become the Pats' WR1 over Doubs if he were to be traded to New England.
Apr 28, 2026 7:18 PM EST
Eagles, Patriots Expected to Resume A.J. Brown Talks Around June 1
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots are expected to resume trade talks about wide receiver A.J. Brown around June 1, when it will help the Eagles salary-cap wise to trade the disgruntled Brown. The Patriots signed former Green Bay Packers wideout Romeo Doubs in free agency in March, but they might not be done upgrading their receiving room this offseason for young quarterback Drake Maye. On the other side, everything the Eagles have done with their WR room since the start of the new league year points to Brown being dealt after June 1. Philly first acquired wideout Dontayvion Wicks from Green Bay, and then they traded up in the first round of Thursday night's 2026 NFL draft to select USC receiver Makai Lemon at 20th overall. ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said a Brown trade is becoming more likely, which would reunite him with head coach Mike Vrabel. The two worked together in Tennessee previously. The 28-year-old Brown had his sixth 1,000-yard season in seven years in the NFL in 2025 with the Eagles, but he was unhappy with his role and had a career-low 12.9 yards per catch in 15 regular-season starts. A move to New England could boost his fantasy ceiling yet again.
Apr 24, 2026 8:24 AM EST
A.J. Brown to the Patriots Considered Likely
It remains an open secret that Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown is likely to be dealt after June 1, a date that needs to be cleared to provide Philadelphia with additional salary cap relief. According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots are still highly interested in acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler. Per Schefter, the teams are expected to resume conversations on or before June 1st, and league-wide belief is that a deal will get done. Brown turns 29 in June and is coming off the worst statistical season since his final, injury-shortened campaign with Tennessee, but even if on the decline, he would still provide a true dominator on the outside for New England and 2025 MVP candidate Drake Maye. How the two teams approach the receiver position in this week's NFL Draft could be a telling indicator of where talks currently stand.
Apr 20, 2026 5:11 AM EST
Eagles Preparing for A.J. Brown's Departure?
ESPN's Jeff Darlington said he thinks the Philadelphia Eagles will be "operating from a place" that wide receiver A.J. Brown will not be on their roster for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. General manager Howie Roseman has refused to give many details this offseason when asked about Brown's status. Additionally, the team acquired wideout Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers. Rumors have swirled about the New England Patriots' and Tennessee Titans' interest in trading for Brown, although nothing has come to fruition yet. All signs are pointing to the Eagles getting much more serious about trading the three-time Pro Bowler after June 1, when it becomes much more financially palatable for them to trade the 28-year-old pass-catcher. Although Brown reached the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth straight season (and in six of his seven NFL seasons), he was unhappy with his offensive role in Philly and had a career-low 12.9 yards per catch in 15 regular-season games. A move to New England would be attractive from a fantasy perspective, but Brown might still be a volatile low-end WR1/high-end WR2 target in fantasy football.
Apr 19, 2026 11:12 AM EST
A.J. Brown Still With the Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman continues to say that wide receiver A.J. Brown "is an Eagle" when asked about the possibility that he'll be traded this offseason, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. When asked if the team recently acquiring receiver Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers means anything for Brown, Roseman said, "What do you think the odds are that I'm answering this question any different than I answered it anywhere else? Like, really, do you think that's 50 percent? Do you think it's 75 percent?" Adds: "A.J. Brown's an Eagle." Odds are that the Eagles will be looking to trade Brown after June 1, when it makes more financial sense for them to do so. The most rumored destination for the 28-year-old is the New England Patriots, even after they signed Romeo Doubs in free agency. That would be a promising landing spot for Brown, who had his fourth straight 1,000-yard receiving season in 15 starts with the Eagles in 2025. The three-time Pro Bowler was unhappy with his role in Philly last year and had a career-low 12.9 yards per catch. If he were to join the Pats, Brown would continue to have big-play upside with young quarterback Drake Maye.
Apr 14, 2026 6:10 PM EST
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