The New England Patriots are expected to trade for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown on or after June 1, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. But there isn't a binding deal currently in place that can stop the Patriots from changing their minds.
Yes, the Patriots need a No. 1 wide receiver, and Brown is one of the top playmakers in the NFL when healthy and locked in. Couple his personal relationship with Mike Vrabel, and the two sides appear destined to exchange "I dos" later this offseason.
Still, it might behoove the Patriots to consider this recent nugget from Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio regarding Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
"We’re told that the Jaguars may be trying to lay the foundation for a potential trade into the bottom of round one. The potential bait could include receiver Brian Thomas Jr.," Florio wrote.
If the Jaguars are interested in trading up to No. 31, it's a move that the Patriots should greatly consider making. Thomas is coming off a disappointing 2025 season with only 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns. In one year, he went from being the fantasy football darling to the player who single-handedly tanked most teams. But if you're the Patriots, the fact that Thomas is only halfway through a rookie deal after posting 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 is well worth a roll of the dice.
Along with trading for Thomas, the Patriots could then use their resources from the expected Brown trade on Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. Perhaps a 2027 second-round pick would do the trick to land Pitts.
In one fell swoop, the Patriots would have addressed their need at tight end with an elite option in Pitts, while also getting their No. 1 receiver at a younger and cheaper price with Thomas. That would obviously rain on the Brown and Vrabel reunion parade before it even happens, but it would be an even bigger offensive upgrade for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in his third NFL season.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Should Patriots pass on A.J. Brown for this dual blockbuster trade?