Who Should I Start? A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith


Week 1 Projections

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A.J. Brown News

Patriots Don't Expect A.J. Brown to be Limited Physically

Thursday, June 4, 4:40 PM

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.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

DeVonta Smith News

DeVonta Smith Poised for WR1 Role in the Aftermath of Trade?

Tuesday, June 2, 5:25 AM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith has seen his dynasty cost rise throughout the offseason as rumors of an A.J. Brown trade grew louder and more credible. With the deal finally becoming official on Monday, and Brown heading to New England for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder, Smith steps into a role at the top of the depth chart in which he's thrived with limited opportunities. In three of the four games Smith has appeared in without Brown over the past two seasons, he's earned at least a 29% target share. A limited snap count in last season's finale is all that kept him from going four out of four, but his extrapolated full-season pace across those four contests is 98 receptions for 1,237 yards, legitimate WR1 numbers. Obviously, the trade was not made in a vacuum, as the Eagles planned for this moment by signing Hollywood Brown, trading for Dontayvion Wicks, and drafting Makai Lemon and tight end Eli Stowers, but Smith should be the most significant benefactor of Brown's absence, as he has been in a small but impressive sampling. Smith is RotoBaller's dynasty WR27, but that ranking could continue to rise as the season draws closer.


A.J. Brown vs. DeVonta Smith

Still trying to decide between Brown and Smith? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that A.J. Brown is projected to score 0.0 points this week while DeVonta Smith is projected to score 0.0 points.