Latest A.J. Brown update has two 'likely' trade packages for Patriots

The New England Patriots trading for Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown almost feels inevitable at this point.

But what will it cost?

That has been the biggest question surrounding the move that is expected to go down on or after June 1, when the Eagles would save north of $40 million in dead cap. However, the latest update from The Athletic's Chad Graff shed more light on the situation.

Graff wrote:

"On one hand, a player of Brown’s caliber isn’t going to come cheap. On the other hand, it sure seems like the Pats have leverage as perhaps the only team willing to negotiate with the Eagles. Because of that, the Eagles’ starting asking price of a first-round pick plus another pick or player has probably gone down. The two most likely packages for Brown seem to be a 2028 first-round pick or a 2027 second-round pick plus a player such as wide receiver Kayshon Boutte."

There were reports that Boutte was potentially available for a trade in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the event came and went without a deal.

The Patriots signed veteran wide receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency, and they already have solid depth at the position with Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins and Efton Chism III. Adding A.J. Brown to the mix would move Boutte further down the depth chart.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to think that the Eagles might want a player along with draft compensation in a trade for Brown. Boutte has real upside as a receiver, and perhaps he could put up even better numbers with more targets.