The New England Patriots gave up a massive piece for A.J. Brown, and right now, it looks like a total bust. We traded a first-round pick to get a guy who can’t even stay on the field or produce when he is playing. It is hard to watch a star player vanish like this when the roster is already thin.
The numbers are ugly. After a high ankle sprain in a Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Brown went straight to the IR. He missed four games because of it. Even when he returned in Week 6 against the Jets, he only caught three of his ten targets and had three drops. That is not what you expect from a player you trade a premium pick for.
The production gap is widening
The stats show a massive decline in efficiency. According to Brenden Deeg of The Score, Brown is only averaging 33.6 yards per game this season. That is pathetic when you compare him to the guy the Eagles let go. Dontayvion Wicks is currently averaging 47.3 yards per reports. The Eagles found a replacement who is actually playing well, while we are stuck with a guy who is a non-factor.
Brown has only nine catches for 101 yards across three games. You cannot win games with that kind of output. The talent is there, but the results are not. He simply isn’t making the big plays we need to stay competitive.
Regression is hitting the Patriots hard
The issues go beyond just injuries. There are real concerns about how much he has declined. Last year, Brown struggled with being lazy on his routes and failing to get separation from defenders. This trend is showing up in New England. He faced tough corners like Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Johnson on Thursday, and they still shut him down effectively.
Per Bleeding Green Nation, the Patriots are in a desperate spot because players like Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins are on injured reserve.