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- What's Up With A.J. Brown?
Like many of you, I spent most of Monday refreshing my feed trying to keep up with the latest news and transactions. Our team did an amazing job of breaking down every fantasy-relevant move and highlighting what it means for fantasy managers moving forward.
Despite the flurry of "legal tampering," I kept waiting for one specific notification, and that had to do with beleaguered Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown. Even so, no notification ever came.
By definition, Brown is not a free agent even though it's been widely expected that his time in Philly is (un)officially over. However, it's that he's not a free agent that could be causing some problems for both the Eagles and potential suitors.
Brown has $45 million remaining on a three-year, $96 million extension he signed back in 2024. The tricky part, in essence, is the guaranteed money baked into the contract ($84 million). If the Eagles trade him now, they would take on over $43 million in dead cap this season.
That's a tough pill to swallow for any franchise, especially one that's been run so well in recent seasons by Howie Roseman.
However, if the Eagles hold off on trading Brown until after June 1, they can spread the cap hit over two seasons instead of just one. The downside there, though, is that it would be after the NFL Draft, and the Eagles won't be able to accrue any draft capital for the 2026 class, further pushing things down the road.
NFL teams may also not be as interested in trading for Brown come June. They'll have already solidified their teams via the draft and will be gearing up for offseason programs. It certainly makes sense for the Eagles to wait until June 1, but there may not be as many suitors then.
So, where does that leave us?
The New England Patriots were the presumed frontrunners in the Brown sweepstakes heading into free agency, and I still believe they are the team most likely to get something done. They released Stefon Diggs and signed Romeo Doubs to a sizable contract, but their current starting wideouts are:
Doubs
Kayshon Boutte
Mack Hollins
Yeah, Drake Maye could still use some help at WR.
In the end, it's quite possible that Brown simply remains in Philly. It's hard to fault the team for not wanting to trade him away for anything less than a significant haul. He's a top-tier talent in his prime. If both parties can work it out, we could very well see Brown run it back next season.
For now, stay tuned for more breaking news in the days and weeks to come!
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NFL DRAFT
Risers and Fallers In Freedmanās Latest NFL Mock Draft
The first wave of free agency is (thankfully) over, so now is a good time to update my 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
While there wasnāt a ton of Round 1 movement in my latest update, there are notable risers and fallers to call out ā¦
š 1.03 (ARI): EDGEāDavid Bailey (Texas Tech)
Jumping from 1.04 to 1.03, Bailey was productive all through his four-year college career, and then last season he had a nation-best 14.5 sacks along with 19.5 tackles for loss as a unanimous first-team All-American.
He has great athleticism (4.50-second 40-yard dash) for his size (6-foot-4, 251 pounds).
The Cardinals need OL help, but this feels too early for any of the OTs, who all have significant questions.
So, best player available it is at a position of need/value, and that's Bailey.
š 1.04 (TEN): RBāJeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
In my previous mock, I had the Cardinals going with RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame), but then the team revised RB James Conner's contract and signed RB Tyler Allgeier in free agency, so I assume that they believe they're set at RB.
The Titans have RB Tony Pollard, but he's a prime cut candidate and not good enough anyway to keep the team from selecting one of the draft's best players.
Jeremiyah Love is just 20 years old. He won the 2025 Doak Walker Award as the top RB in college football, and over the past two seasons, he put up 3,014 yards and 40 TDs from scrimmage in 28 games.
With a three-down skill set, workhorse frame (6-0, 212 pounds), and home run speed (4.36, 40-yard dash), Love could be one of the NFL's top backs as a rookie.
š 1.22 (LAC): DTāKayden McDonald (Ohio State)
Kayden McDonald is a pure NT who attracts double teams with his size (6-foot-2, 326 pounds), and yet he still managed last year to make an impact against the run (9 tackles for loss) and pass (3 sacks).
The Chargers have needed help on their interior DL for years.
š 1.25 (CHI): DTāCaleb Banks (Florida)
Caleb Banks is still raw, but he has great size (6-foot-6, 327 pounds) and athleticism (5.04, 40-yard dash). Based on his attributes, he has a chance to be the No. 1 DT in the class, and the Bears need more muscle in their interior DL.
But Banks played in just three games last year, and then at the combine, he suffered a broken foot. Because of that, I'm dropping him down to my No. 3 DT.
NFL DRAFT
NFL Draft Doās and Donāts: Fire Up That League Chat
Did your ādetoxā from football last too long after the Super Bowl so now youāre looking for any news items that might give you a clue as to how many targets Alec Pierce will get this season? (Hint: youāll still want more). Well, weāre in the thick of NFL Draft szn, which means youāre about to learn more Fernando Mendozaās middle school practice habits and that Makai Lemon prefers water to lemonade.
Cooterdoodle dropped in with some Doās and Donāts for the NFL Draft, encouraging more league chatter centered on insults hurled at Justin (every league has one) and even some deceiving news items that could suppress a playerās ADP. And, as always, there will be memes. ā¤µļø
Fantasy
Around The Watercooler
The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from our merry band of football nerds ā¦
š¤ Looking to make a 2-for-1 trade offer? Here are some suggestions, including an offer for Puka Nacua.
š Makai Lemon has a comp thatās not Amon-Ra St. Brown. Still high praise.
š° If youāre looking to bet the NFL Draft, here are some good tips.
š¢ Age is just a number, especially when it comes to Mike Evans.
šŖ Reunion in D.C. College teammates share a backfield again.
š Former Green Bay RB goes to Seattle. An underrated signing.
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