Patriots reportedly considered a major A.J. Brown alternative

The New England Patriots have been tangled up in trade rumors surrounding A.J. Brown for months now.

Both teams have confirmed trade talks in the past; it’s just that the Philadelphia Eagles can’t trade him before June 1 for salary cap purposes, and they may not want to give up on him anyway.

That’s why the Patriots considered taking a wide receiver in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, according to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler.

Did Patriots try to remove themselves from A.J. Brown trade talks?

“As one team source pointed out, the Patriots have nothing binding with the Philadelphia Eagles and A.J. Brown,” Fowler wrote. “No firm agreement is in place. Now, could there be a wink-wink understanding? Certainly, but New England was free to make a move for a receiver, and it was on its radar in the first two rounds.

The Patriots apparently considered taking Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion late in the first round. With him gone, they pivoted to Utah OT Caleb Lomu instead.

“A rival team picking late in the first believed that to be true. Eventual No. 24 pick KC Concepcion was a hot name,” Fowler continued.”Had he slipped past Cleveland, New England was believed to be one of many teams that thought highly of him.”

The Patriots may have no choice but to circle back on Brown, given that they failed to address the position with a starting-caliber option in the draft.

That said, the fact that they explored other options hints at them not being entirely sold on this move, or maybe they know the Eagles won’t let him go unless they meet a steep asking price.