Eagles WR Draft Options if A.J. Brown Gets Traded

The AJ Brown Question Demands a Draft Answer

The elephant in every Eagles offseason conversation remains A.J. Brown. Will he stay? Will he go? The answer to that question fundamentally reshapes how Philadelphia approaches the 2026 NFL Draft — and if Brown is dealt, the receiver cupboard better not be bare.

Here's the good news: this wide receiver class is absolutely loaded.

NFL Draft Bible's Ric Serritella has 14 receivers in his top 100 prospects. Dane Brugler at The Athletic has 17. That kind of depth means the Eagles will have options on Day 2, which is exactly where they'll be shopping if Brown returns or if they need a replacement after a trade.

The AJ Brown Clone: Chris Bell, Louisville

Serritella dropped a fascinating name that Eagles fans need to memorize: Chris Bell out of Louisville. At 6-foot-3 with elite yards-after-catch ability, Bell draws comparisons to Steve Smith — if Smith were significantly bigger. The scouting report reads like a carbon copy of what Brown does best: size, speed, breaking tackles, and an angry competitive edge that translates to the NFL.

The catch? Bell tore his ACL in December and won't participate in combine drills. But that's precisely what creates value. Pre-injury, Bell was in contention for the number one receiver on Serritella's board. Post-ACL, he could slide to the third round — exactly where Howie Roseman loves to find value. If medical evaluations at the combine next week come back clean, Bell could be one of the biggest steals in the entire draft.

Day 2 Options: Speed, Size, and Versatility

Even if Brown stays, Philadelphia needs a third receiver. The Shanahan-influenced offense under Kellen Moore demands versatility and yards-after-catch ability. Several names fit the bill:

**Zachariah Branch** profiles as a DeSean Jackson-type speed burner who can take the top off a defense. In a scheme that emphasizes play-action and downfield shots, Branch as a WR3 would be lethal. He's projected as a Day 2 pick.

**Malachi Fields** offers the opposite profile — a big-bodied boundary receiver with size and speed who could still be available in the second round. If the Eagles lose Brown and need someone to win on the outside, Fields fits.

**Denzel Boston** has been flying under the radar playing out West. NFL bloodlines (son of former receiver David Boston) and the physical tools to be a factor. Being off the All-Star circuit could suppress his draft stock in Philadelphia's favor.

**Omar Cooper** from Indiana is the real deal — 6-foot, 205 pounds with 4.4 speed and excellent route-running ability. He's currently Serritella's 10th-ranked receiver and could be a perfect Day 2 selection.

The Top of the Board

Carnell Tate from Ohio State sits atop Serritella's receiver rankings as the most polished prospect in the class. He's a boundary receiver with exceptional hands and route precision — but he'll likely be gone well before pick 23. The Giants at five could take him, and there's been buzz about exactly that.

The realistic Eagles range falls in the Chris Bell-to-Omar Cooper tier: high-upside talents with legitimate NFL starter potential who'll be available when Philadelphia is on the clock.

What This Means for the Eagles

Whether Brown stays or goes, wide receiver is getting addressed in this draft. The question is how high. If Brown returns, a Day 2 receiver like Branch or Cooper fills the WR3 hole that's been a revolving door. If Brown is traded, the Eagles might need to invest a first-round pick at the position or pair a Day 2 receiver with a veteran free agent.

The depth of this class is the saving grace. Philadelphia won't be forced into a bad pick because there simply aren't enough options. There are options everywhere — speed guys, big-body guys, YAC monsters, and polished route runners.

The combine starts February 23 in Indianapolis. The medical evaluations alone could shift the entire wide receiver board. For Eagles fans, the next two weeks are when the offseason gets real.

The AJ Brown decision will come. But whatever happens, the draft has answers.