AJ Brown and Myles Garrett Trades | 2026 Fantasy Football Almanac

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2026 Fantasy Football Almanac

I’m pleased to announce that the Fantasy Football Almanac is now published. You can consider it in a “soft launch” phase.  I’m still working on getting my website updated, but you can find all of the relevant links on the home page HERE. Once I have the website updated, the informative videos done, etc. I will get a more formal announcement email to everyone.

AJ Brown and Myles Garrett Trades

AJ Brown to the Patriots 

My Thoughts On Philadelphia 

I love this move for the Eagles. I personally wasn’t convinced the Eagles were ready to trade AJ Brown until they made a very sneaky move with the Green Bay Packers and acquired Dontayvion Wicks earlier this Spring.  I felt that Dontayvion Wicks could slide into AJ Brown’s spot as an outside receiver and while he clearly isn’t the top-end talent that Brown is, he could do a nice job filling his role for an Eagles offense that is increasingly run-focused. 

Wicks showed flashes of potential in Green Bay, but the workshare distribution in Green Bay is out of control.  They spread the ball around so evenly with their entire receiving group that it’s hard for one person to stand out. 

When Philadelphia followed that move by drafting Makai Lemon with their first round pick in 2026, the Eagles suddenly had a ridiculously deep receiving core. You may have missed, but they also signed Hollywood Brown in the offseason.  Bottom line: Philadelphia could afford to trade Brown without worry their passing game would grind to a halt. 

My Thoughts on New England 

I love the trade for them as well.  I might not have said that had they traded for Brown last offseason, but the Patriots proved throughout 2025 that they have a strong foundation and plenty of depth across the board. For a team that a) has a young QB and b) is challenging for a Super Bowl, this is the type of aggressive move necessary to widen a Super Bowl window. 

I also thought Brown would command at least a 1^st and 3^rd round selection. I thought the Patriots got a steal by only trading a 1^st and 5^th. 

My favorite thing about the trade? Now I don’t have to hear anymore rumors about a Brown and Hurts rift. I was so sick of that. 

Fantasy Implications of the AJ Brown Trade 

Wicks will absolutely line up as an outside receiver. Though the construct of Philadelphia’s offense in recent seasons hasn’t produced three quality WRs, I think the combination of a new offensive coordinator and Makai Lemon lining up from the slot position will change that.  Wicks will start at outside receiver for Philadelphia.  We shoudl still see plenty of deep passes up the sideline. 

Lemon adds a new dimension to this offense.  He will line up as an inside receiver primarily, though I do think he will be the second receiver opposite DeVonta Smith (but don’t be surprised if they bench him for Wicks – not because Wicks is better, but because he is an “outside receiver”). 

As for the Patriots, this will change things. First, i think AJ Brown is back to being a top tier WR. He is a top 10-12 pick for sure. The Patriots like to spread the ball around, but Josh McDaniels has been known to focus in on one, talented player when it’s working.  And it is absolutely going to work.   

Romeo Doubs should still have some value, but I think this will ultimately hurt Kayshon Boutte’s development. I think Boutte will be relegated to a backup outside receiver role unless he can outcompete Doubs.  AJ Brown clearly isn’t going anywhere. 

Myles Garrett to the Rams 

My Thoughts on Cleveland 

I have a couple of buddies who are Browns fans that took this new pretty hard, but I think this was the right move for them. The Browns need a few offseasons to build proper depth on their roster.  They need picks to do that. Cleveland actually took this strategy years ago by acquiring a ton of draft picks, but then Haslem got impatient and submarined the franchise by trading for Deshaun Watson (never trade a ton of picks AND pay exhorbitant money unless you are making a real Super Bowl run!). 

By the time the Browns will be ready to compete in the AFC North, Myles Garrett would be 33-34 years old, at least. I know it hurts to lose a star, but getting a 1^st, 2^nd and a 3^rd AND Jared Vearse was an amazing deal.  At Garrett’s salary, I figured he’d cost the Rams 2 firsts.  When you factor Jared Vearse’s value into the equation, I think they probably ended up with the equivalent of 2 first round picks and a second round pick.  Great move. 

My Thoughts On the Rams 

It’s Super Bowl or bust. I don’t love trades like this, but it worked out for them when they acquired Stafford years ago for 2 firsts, a third and Jared Goff (who had already led them to a Super Bowl at that point). 

There are rumors that Aaron Donald could be interested in returning as well.  If they can stay healthy, the Rams have an excellent defense.  I boosted them to my 4^th overall group.  Along with the Seahawks, Texans and Broncos, the Rams are in a clear top tier. 

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Get Paid Podcast 

Because the Brown and Garrett trades impacted storylines across the AFC East, NFC East, AFC North and NFC West, I wanted to add in a tidbits and opinions on fantasy football matters in the other divisions. In addition to the Brown and Garrett talk, I discuss:

• Jaylen Waddle’s fit with Denver 
• Why Jordyn Tyson isn’t the only rookie receiver of note in New Orleans 
• Why the Tight End utilization will come back to life for Minnesota this year 
• Two possible fantasy paths for Carnell Lake and what I think will happen in Tennessee