Patriots Rumor A.J. Brown trade rumors heat up - Should Patriots get him?

[captain stone]

IMO it's more likely Landry retires than Moses does. If anything...

Landry's not retiring and leaving all that nice juicy money on the table.

 

[Real fan 02]

Landry's not retiring and leaving all that nice juicy money on the table.

Ya I know. But if he returns and looks no different than the guy he was after the saints game then he may have no choice.

 

[captain stone]

I can see this... K Williams also lines up all over the formation. I can see him taking a slant 60 yards like he did in Tampa Bay.. I'm expecting big things from K. Williams.

I'm hoping for big things from Kyle Williams.

 

[mgteich]

It is a favor to Boutte to trade him rather than have him fight for reps with Douglas and Chism.

 

[patfanken]

Brown is upgrade over Diggs
Doubs is an upgrade over Boutte
2026 Williams is an upgrade over 2025 Williams
Hollins is Hollins (unchanged)
Henry is Henry (unchanged)
Hill is an upgrade over Hooper
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OVERALL
2026 receivers are an improvement over 2025 receivers, especially with better blocking and improved QB play.
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AS AN ASIDE
I'm not even sure that a 5th WR would be active in most games, especially if we draft a TE.

Boutte, Douglas, and Chism would be competing for a roster spot or two..

There are a LOT of reasons to justifiably believe that the offense should be upgraded this season, regardless of if this trade goes through.

a. Both Campbell and Wilson SHOULD be better in their 2nd year of play and Wilsom moving back to his natural position. ATV has proven he is a plus player when he is on the field. At TE, we should be slightly better at catching the ball depending on who we draft, and much better at blocking regardless of who we draft. We are good in the backfield and SHOULD see improvement from both Henderson and Maye as they enter their 2nd year in the system. At WR, assuming the trade goes through just having another year in the same system, you'd expect improvement, but should the trade go through, we upgrade the WR room dramatically with the additions of Doubs and Brown

b. As far as the defense goes, I think we are OK... one deep. I think we've improved at S and Edge with the FA signings, but we really need to hit on Edge, LB, CB and DT in the draft to provide quality depth. We probably have the finest secondary in the league, but you can see it is only one deep and that's dangerous. The defense reminds me a bit of the late 90's when we had some very good teams, but they were all top heavy and lacked depth and when we got hit with some key injuries, they failed to meet expectations. Guys like Ponder, Farmer, Swinson, and Woods all have to up their games and become useful depth players.

c. Edge and LB are the thinnest positions going into the draft, but at 31, 62, and 95 we are unlikely to find a starter. We need those first 2 days to find 3 guys who can become immediate contributors. Edge, LB and TE are 3 biggest needs. I know RT is a need too, but Moses proved to be a worth RT for THIS year, and we will have another FA and draft periods to replace him for the '27 season if we don't find one worth in this draft on day 3 with our 8 picks.

BTW- I don't want to see us use adding 11 more rookies. We already have 13 new players signed and 11 rookies would mean we would have 24 new players on the roster, almost half the roster could be new players. I think that's too many new players. Now several of those 24 might not make the final cut, but a lot will. Don't underestimate the power of continuity. I saw a mock that saw us draft 8 players and wind up with an extra 2nd and 3rd in '27 and would be AWESOME

d, Your comment on the TE situation rang true. Josh LOVES 2 TE formations and if we add a TE in the first 2 days, plus the addition of Hill, I think we could see less 3 WR sets than last year and thus not need a 6th WR on the roster but on the PS in case of injuries.


'

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm hoping for big things from Kyle Williams.

Yes.. he doesn't feel like the WR bust of patriots past.. go figure every TD he caught last season went for 40 or more yards.. very impressive for a rookie to be able to do that. Curran mentioned that regarding Boutte likely sees the writing on the wall signing doubs and AJ here by June 1st..

I still feel like he has a place here even with those guys.

 

[Dec54]

NO first round pick for AJ

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm hoping for big things from Kyle Williams.

If the trade talk is coming from Boutte side then that's another thing.. Boutte having the benefits of AJ, doubs could really flourish this season. He would have super favorable match ups. This would then put him in line for a nice contract next off-season

 

[p8ryts]

It is a favor to Boutte to trade him rather than have him fight for reps with Douglas and Chism.

Brown and Doubs better be a significant improvement over Boutte, or I will be pissed. To me, he was a classic patriot. I will wish him the best.

 

[PatsFan2]

If the trade talk is coming from Boutte side then that's another thing.. Boutte having the benefits of AJ, doubs could really flourish this season. He would have super favorable match ups. This would then put him in line for a nice contract next off-season

And I hope it's not from us that would be too much $$$$$$$ tied up in WR's. This is time for a Rookie WR on a Four deal also KW developing.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

What I don't understand is why people think AJ Brown can just be plug and play here. Besides Randy Moss, have any other big-name receivers EVER understood McDaniels' system?

You guys looking to trade Boutte are wanting to trade someone that's improved every year he's been in the system....who has earned Maye's trust, has earned Josh's trust... for someone who has been injured recently and a malcontent, as well?

At this point, I wait for the Eagles to drop him and pick him up for basically a Diggs-level prove it deal. Draft capital for potentially another veteran WR to wash out of our system? Hell no.

 

[Hyped]

What I don't understand is why people think AJ Brown can just be plug and play here. Besides Randy Moss, have any other big-name receivers EVER understood McDaniels' system?

You guys looking to trade Boutte are wanting to trade someone that's improved every year he's been in the system....who has earned Maye's trust, has earned Josh's trust... for someone who has been injured recently and a malcontent, as well?

At this point, I wait for the Eagles to drop him and pick him up for basically a Diggs-level prove it deal. Draft capital for potentially another veteran WR to wash out of our system? Hell no.

Gronk never really got either BOB nor McD's system..... he just ran routes and told Brady to toss it up....

 

[Real fan 02]

Brown and Doubs better be a significant improvement over Boutte, or I will be pissed. To me, he was a classic patriot. I will wish him the best.

Curran touched on this on WEEI. Went on to say he understands it that Boutte's camp is the likely side that would want a trade also it was mentioned he also wasn't with Drake during the throwing sessions in the offseason..he wants a new contract.. entering his contract year..

Curran mentioned Boutte sees the writing on the wall with doubs & the AJ trade.

For me.. I'd hope someone Boutte really respects be it in or outside the organization family, a former coach ect. Should really say to him look.. you have a real opportunity to shine again in NE.. in 2026 with AJ, Doubs commanding the attention you would be able to eat handedly.. and earn yourself a nice contract in FA.

Boutte needs to remain in NE IMO to flourish. I'm hopeful he remains.

 

[Real fan 02]

And I hope it's not from us that would be too much $$$$$$$ tied up in WR's. This is time for a Rookie WR on a Four deal also KW developing.

Twin... after all the WR draft bust it would feel good to be in a position to have to pay a drafted WR $$$$.. remember Boutte should he stays can always be franchised too!

 

[Mike the Brit]

It is a favor to Boutte to trade him rather than have him fight for reps with Douglas and Chism.

What a strange post, MG. If Boutte was fighting for reps with anyone it was Williams -- and, on the evidence of last season, winning hands down.

 

[PatsFan2]

Twin... after all the WR draft bust it would feel good to be in a position to have to pay a drafted WR $$$$.. remember Boutte should he stays can always be franchised too!

He has to put up at least 1000 yds for that to happen. Certainly not ruling that out: somebody is going benefit from us having Brown.

 

[mgteich]

What a strange post, MG. If Boutte was fighting for reps with anyone it was Williams -- and, on the evidence of last season, winning hands down.

WAS is the operative word. Boutte was the #2 WR and did soooo well that he might have been extended. Instead, Vrabel made sure that he had better for 2026. Vrabel decided to acquire Doubs and Brown.
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Vrabel is planning for the future, for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Brown is part of that future.
Doubs is part of that future.
Hollins is part of that future. (an easy extension whenever Vrabel and Hollins decide)
Williams is certainly expected to be part of that future.
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Boutte is a talented WR in his contract year.
Douglas is an OK slot receiver in his contract year.
Chism is a prospect that has shown nothing at WR but is under contract through 2027 and may be given another year to develop.
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I expect Vrabel to give Williams lots and lots of opportunities to take his place as part of the WR corps. If Williams isn't the #4 WR (or close), then he has been a major failure.
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Boutte, Douglas and Chism may indeed come to camp (perhaps even with a 5th or 6th rounder). IMO, the position of #5 WR is wide open and any of the four choices could be part of the future.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

The issue with Boutte is that so far he's been a one-trick pony as a deep threat but defenses don't really respect it the way you need them to in order to have high value in that role. When you're a downfield specialist, it's ok to have low volume like Boutte has had. BUT, it's really important that, despite the low volume, you move defenses. You need the defenses to play back and adjust because they're afraid that if they don't you WOULD kill them with volume. That's not Boutte. He's a guy who makes low volume of downfield plays against defenses willing to concede those opportunities to him because they know he's not good enough to where he's going to really kill them over and over again with it.

That doesn't mean he's not a good player or that he can't have a role, but it does make him a guy that you'd probably rather not pay after his rookie deal. If you're going to invest in a WR you want it to be someone who moves defenses or puts up volume of production. Boutte doesn't really do either He's just a solid complimentary player and FA premiums aren't great to pay for that caliber of WR.

 

[gobesmug]

What I don't understand is why people think AJ Brown can just be plug and play here. Besides Randy Moss, have any other big-name receivers EVER understood McDaniels' system?

You guys looking to trade Boutte are wanting to trade someone that's improved every year he's been in the system....who has earned Maye's trust, has earned Josh's trust... for someone who has been injured recently and a malcontent, as well?

At this point, I wait for the Eagles to drop him and pick him up for basically a Diggs-level prove it deal. Draft capital for potentially another veteran WR to wash out of our system? Hell no.

Name one big name WR that couldnt "get" McDaniels system but went on to have a great career elsewhere.

Most WRs that played for McDaniels had their best season ever for McDaniels. Moss, Welker, Brandon Lloyd in Denver.

Old guys past their prime like Chad Johnson and Reggie Wayne were already cooked when they got to the Pats.

 

[upstater1]

For all the moaning about bad WR drafts, you look around and see so many teams cutting bait with their successful WR hits, certainly true of the infamous 2019 draft, but now you see it all over the place. The Cowboys aren't going to sign Pickens long-term, and the Steelers sent him packing.

It's interesting to see how many teams thing the star WR and their huge contracts as busting the tructure of the team. Tyreek Hill's contract and all those picks certainly did not help Miami.

The real strategy seems to be to find highly productive WRs within your system that don't destroy the team structure. WRs are not QBs.