Eagles plan for the future after Adam Schefter bombshell in latest NFL mock draft

The A.J. Brown saga might finally be coming to an end here in the next couple of months. For what seems like an eternity at this point, signs have seemingly pointed to the Philadelphia Eagles making this move and trading Brown.

After much debate about where Brown could get traded, the New England Patriots continued to stick out as a logical suitor, as the Brown-Mike Vrabel connection makes all the sense in the world, and the Patriots do not have a no. 1 wide receiver for Drake Maye.

ESPN's Adam Schefter did drop a bit of a bombshell on Monday regarding the Brown situation, too:

"No matter what happens at this week's draft, an A.J. Brown trade to the Patriots is still on the table and still tracking to happen on or after June 1, per league sources. The two sides have discussed a deal, but neither has been willing to commit to it until after June 1, when Brown's $40 million salary cap charge would be split between this year and next.

All the elements remain in place to make it happen, and Brown to the Patriots is still the likely outcome ... just not during this week's draft, per sources. Put the trade on hold for now, but things will soon quickly warm back up. The Eagles remain open to trading Brown, the Patriots remain highly interested in acquiring the star receiver, and conversations are expected to resume on or before June 1, probably culminating in a deal, per league sources."

Brown to the Patriots may simply be a matter of time, so let's dive into how the Eagles could approach the 2026 NFL Draft in planning for life after Brown.

Philadelphia Eagles mock draft following latest Adam Schefter A.J. Brown bombshell

23. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Eagles kick things off with Denzel Boston, a player who does profile as an "X" receiver and could step into Brown's shoes. Boston is 6-3 and 213lbs, so he has the size to function in this role. He's is sure-handed and uses his physical frame to his advantage. While he may not be as good as Brown, the Eagles would essentially replace Brown's skillset with someone very similar, which is a strong roster-building technique.

Eagles trade pick 54 to the Minnesota Vikings for EDGE Jonathan Greenard

Would this be an overpay? For a team like the Eagles, who do need a pretty notable pass-rush boost, I'm not sure it would be, and they seem to have interest in the player:

Greenard did have a down year in 2025, playing in just 12 games and finishing with three sacks, but in the two prior years combined, he amassed 24.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, and 44 quarterback hits, making the Pro Bowl in 2024.

He's an impact player who would fit right in with the Eagles and slide into a major position of need.

68. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern

Now preparing for the eventual retirement of Lane Johnson, which could come next year, the Eagles take Caleb Tiernan with the sole idea of developing him as a future right tackle solution. Johnson is a future Hall of Famer, so if they don't find a competent solution, the dropoff could be massive.

98. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State

Now adding to the secondary, the Eagles take Zakee Wheatley from Penn State at pick 98, keeping him in Pennsylvania. Wheatley is already 24 years old but does have the potential to develop into a solid starter. At just over 6-3 and 200 pounds, he's got the size profile.

114. Tacario Davis, CB, Washington

Speaking of size, Tacario Davis is nearly 6-4 and is kind of in the same box as Wheatley - a solid prospect who could eventually develop into a steady starter. Philly signed Riq Woolen this offseason, but it was only a one-year deal, so they could look to a more long-term solution.

137. Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame

Dallas Goedert's time with the Eagles could be running out, and Eli Raridon might be an obvious solution. A sleeper prospect, Raridon is massive and has genuine two-phase upside as a blocker and a receiver. Being able to share a room with Goedert for a year would be an ideal scenario when Philly decides to move forward with the Notre Dame product, likely in 2027.

178. Albert Regis, DT, Texas A&M

Now hitting on some depth options, the Eagles snag Albert Regis from Texas A&M at pick 178 and stock the defensive line up with fresh bodies.

197. Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson

I'd not at all be shocked if the Eagles took a quarterback earlier in the NFL Draft, but the way the board fell, Cade Klubnik is the choice at pick 197. With the limitations that Jalen Hurts has as a passer, the Eagles may need to put a bit of pressure on him this offseason.

While Klubnik might not be quite that kind of prospect, the idea of the Eagles drafting a quarterback is still enough to make Hurts take note.