It’s a long offseason, over the course of which the New England Patriots have consistently been involved in trade rumors with the Philadelphia Eagles for A.J. Brown. That, in turn, sparked rumors that the Patriots might need to move on from up-and-coming receiver Kayshon Boutte.
Now, a new projection has the Patriots including Boutte in the Brown trade. Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report broke it down in a roster projection he did for every single NFL team. There, he had Boutte on the Eagles and Brown on the Patriots.
“No, A.J. Brown isn’t listed here—Brown being traded became that much more likely after the Eagles traded up to draft Makai Lemon, and it has been rumored more than once it will be to New England for a package that includes Kayshon Boutte.” Davenport wrote in his Eagles breakdown.
Under the Patriots, Davenport listed Brown as one of three starters at wide receiver. He is currently there alongside Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins.
Davenport wrote, “Romeo Doubs was added at wide receiver, with rumors rampant that A.J. Brown will follow at some point after June 1.”
Adam Schefter Shared the Latest on the New England Patriots Trading for A.J. Brown
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown
At the start of the week, NFL insider Adam Schefter appeared on The Pat McAfee Show. There, he shared an update on the A.J. Brown trade, which should have New England Patriots fans excited about the future.
“I think he knows where his future is headed at this moment,” Schefter teased.
It’s long since been presumed that the Patriots and the Eagles are going to come together to make the Brown trade. It’s just a matter of waiting for June, when the salary cap situation becomes more manageable for the Eagles.
“And it will be a matter of the Patriots and the Eagles getting together to basically process the trade, finalize the trade, make sure it happens. Again, there’s nothing that has transpired here, despite all the events in New England, that has deterred this trade from coming off. I still think it’s on track. I still think it’s going to happen,” Schefter said.
“I still think it will involve a future [first-round pick], likely a 2028 first-round draft pick. I still think all these elements are in place, and I still think that once we get to June that these two sides will get together and complete a trade that will send A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots.”
Would Kayshon Boutte Change the Cost of an A.J. Brown Trade?
GettyNew England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte
There has been an extraordinary amount of debate regarding what the Patriots are going to need to pay the Eagles for Brown. Schefter, for instance, referenced a first-round pick. Others, meanwhile, have suggested it could be a second-round package or a first-round pick to go along with a later-round pick.
The trade would also mean that the Patriots have too many starter-quality wide receivers on their roster. So, one would need to be moved. Based on the rumors, that would likely end up being Boutte.
It would also make sense for the Patriots to send Boutte back to the Eagles, helping Philadelphia to replace him. Meanwhile, New England could justify a smaller draft pick package if the Patriots were also sending a player to the Eagles.
Patriots Roster Projection Includes Kayshon Boutte in A.J. Brown Trade