A.J. Brown enters the 2026-27 season with the New England Patriots after a June trade from the Eagles, positioning him as the clear top target for quarterback Drake Maye in an offense projected to feature higher passing volume than Philadelphia’s run-heavy scheme. The 29-year-old has posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in six of seven NFL seasons, including 1,003 yards on 78 catches across 15 games in 2025 despite a frustrating final year in Philadelphia. He manages a degenerative knee condition but has no reported limitations heading into Week 1, with team officials expressing confidence in his availability. Historical target shares above 25% and a reunion with coach Mike Vrabel support expectations for strong volume, though prior missed games introduce some durability uncertainty for his season-long yardage total.