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You're probably sick of hearing this, but it deserves one more mention before it is forever retired. No one enjoys trading elite talent. The Philadelphia Eagles deal with the New England Patriots for A.J. Brown exhasuted all of us.
But sometimes it's good to be the first person who says something. We all remember our immediate reactions. We all felt a sense of peace when the move was made, and the speculation was finally over. Sure, there was also a sense of what the offense had lost.
Brown wasn't just one of the premier receivers. He was a tone-setter, a game changer, and one of Jalen Hurts' favorite targets. That's understandable. The other side of the equation unsurprisingly earned just as much attention from the public.
Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman didn't simply move on from a star receiver. He acquired valuable draft capital while betting that Philadelphia's roster, coaching staff, and offensive philosophy were strong enough to absorb the loss.
The experts questioned the move, but the consensus is that Roseman got over in the deal (again). Time will ultimately determine who won the trade, but several early signs suggest Philadelphia was the victor. Now, what if we gave you five reasons why this move will be praised by the midpoint of the coming NFL season?
When the trade was announced, many assumed New England would once again contend for a deep playoff run. New England probably assumed that they were again primed for another run at glory. Truth be told, that's far from guaranteed.
Late first-round picks are sometimes perceived as glorified second-rounders, but what if New England slips? What if that first-rounder is higher up the board than previously accepted?
The Patriots now face the challenges that accompany success: a more difficult schedule, heightened expectations, and the possibility of a Super Bowl hangover. If New England slips even slightly, Philadelphia's first-round selection suddenly becomes much more valuable than originally anticipated. That possibility alone makes the trade worth monitoring.
Lost in many conversations about Brown's departure is one simple fact. DeVonta Smith has already proven he can carry a passing attack. The former Heisman Trophy winner set Philadelphia's rookie receiving record while catching passes from a young Jalen Hurts, who was still developing as a franchise quarterback.
Now entering the prime of his career, Smith appears ready for an even larger workload. A 1,200-yard season and his first Pro Bowl selection don't feel unrealistic if Sean Mannion's offense features him as its primary target.
Few receivers can fully replicate what Brown brought to Philadelphia. That's not the plan. Instead, the Eagles are relying on a wide receiver's version of a three-headed monster.
They're hoping Marquise Brown stretches defenses vertically, Makai Lemon creates explosive plays, and Dontayvion Wicks develops into another dependable 'do-it-all' option.
Collectively, that trio may replace Brown's production more effectively than one player ever could. It's addition by subtraction, not because Brown wasn't great, but because spreading opportunities across multiple playmakers could make the offense less predictable.
Eagles fans are remarkably consistent. If the Eagles win, controversial decisions quickly become brilliant ones. If the Eagles sit atop the NFC East midway through the season while Sean Mannion's offense continues producing points, the discussion won't revolve around who left Philadelphia.
It will center on how Howie Roseman once again stayed one step ahead. That's ultimately why judging this trade today feels premature. Brown may flourish in New England. He probably will. That doesn't automatically mean the Eagles made the wrong decision.
If Philadelphia continues competing for championships while adding another premium draft pick to its arsenal, Roseman may once again prove why he's considered one of the NFL's premier roster architects. Those who wager might be willing to take that bet all day and then some.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 4 reasons Eagles' A.J. Brown trade could age beautifully by midseason
Continue reading...
But sometimes it's good to be the first person who says something. We all remember our immediate reactions. We all felt a sense of peace when the move was made, and the speculation was finally over. Sure, there was also a sense of what the offense had lost.
Brown wasn't just one of the premier receivers. He was a tone-setter, a game changer, and one of Jalen Hurts' favorite targets. That's understandable. The other side of the equation unsurprisingly earned just as much attention from the public.
Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman didn't simply move on from a star receiver. He acquired valuable draft capital while betting that Philadelphia's roster, coaching staff, and offensive philosophy were strong enough to absorb the loss.
The experts questioned the move, but the consensus is that Roseman got over in the deal (again). Time will ultimately determine who won the trade, but several early signs suggest Philadelphia was the victor. Now, what if we gave you five reasons why this move will be praised by the midpoint of the coming NFL season?
1. The draft pick could become far more valuable than expected
When the trade was announced, many assumed New England would once again contend for a deep playoff run. New England probably assumed that they were again primed for another run at glory. Truth be told, that's far from guaranteed.
Late first-round picks are sometimes perceived as glorified second-rounders, but what if New England slips? What if that first-rounder is higher up the board than previously accepted?
The Patriots now face the challenges that accompany success: a more difficult schedule, heightened expectations, and the possibility of a Super Bowl hangover. If New England slips even slightly, Philadelphia's first-round selection suddenly becomes much more valuable than originally anticipated. That possibility alone makes the trade worth monitoring.
2.DeVonta Smith has already shown that he is a true WR1
Lost in many conversations about Brown's departure is one simple fact. DeVonta Smith has already proven he can carry a passing attack. The former Heisman Trophy winner set Philadelphia's rookie receiving record while catching passes from a young Jalen Hurts, who was still developing as a franchise quarterback.
Now entering the prime of his career, Smith appears ready for an even larger workload. A 1,200-yard season and his first Pro Bowl selection don't feel unrealistic if Sean Mannion's offense features him as its primary target.
3. The Eagles don't need one player to replace Brown
Few receivers can fully replicate what Brown brought to Philadelphia. That's not the plan. Instead, the Eagles are relying on a wide receiver's version of a three-headed monster.
They're hoping Marquise Brown stretches defenses vertically, Makai Lemon creates explosive plays, and Dontayvion Wicks develops into another dependable 'do-it-all' option.
Collectively, that trio may replace Brown's production more effectively than one player ever could. It's addition by subtraction, not because Brown wasn't great, but because spreading opportunities across multiple playmakers could make the offense less predictable.
4. Philadelphia will keep winning, and winning changes every conversation
Eagles fans are remarkably consistent. If the Eagles win, controversial decisions quickly become brilliant ones. If the Eagles sit atop the NFC East midway through the season while Sean Mannion's offense continues producing points, the discussion won't revolve around who left Philadelphia.
It will center on how Howie Roseman once again stayed one step ahead. That's ultimately why judging this trade today feels premature. Brown may flourish in New England. He probably will. That doesn't automatically mean the Eagles made the wrong decision.
If Philadelphia continues competing for championships while adding another premium draft pick to its arsenal, Roseman may once again prove why he's considered one of the NFL's premier roster architects. Those who wager might be willing to take that bet all day and then some.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 4 reasons Eagles' A.J. Brown trade could age beautifully by midseason
Continue reading...
