The AJ Brown Thing Is The Dumbest Conversation In Philly Sports Right Now

For whatever reason, there has been a lot of hate flying at AJ Brown as of late. Somehow he is getting heat for how the Eagles season went. All he did was put up 1,456 yards with 7 TDs. But he occasionally complains about targets, so clearly he is a problem.

Let's make something very clear. AJ Brown is not even on the top 10 lists of problems the Eagles have right now. Take a look at what the Eagles' offense looked like before him. Now look at what they are like with him. They went from struggling to move the ball through the air, to having two 1000-yard WRS. Now go look at what happened to the Titans after they traded him. Their offense fell right off of a cliff, and now Mike Vrabel is out of a job.

He has been here for only two seasons, and he has two of the best seasons an Eagles WR has ever had. He broke the single-season record for yards in 2022, and then almost matched it last season. And before you say that it is 17 games now so it's easier, he already beat Mike Quick's prior franchise high before week 17 both times.

Can he be a bit of a diva? Sure. But how many elite WRS don't have a little diva in them? T.O. was the ultimate diva. He publicly caused problems for his team, whereas everything about AJ Brown is all speculation and social media posts. Even with all the drama T.O. caused, they were still way better off with him than they were after he left. Joe Banner playing games with T.O. prevented this team from being successful. Had he just paid T.O., maybe we didn't need to wait until 2017 to win a Super Bowl.

This is the dumbest conversation going on in Philly Sports right now. And that is saying something given how we once again have Phillies fans whining about Kyle Schwarber leading off. AJ Brown is an elite WR. Who cares if he says something on Twitter or posts cryptic things on Instagram? He is putting up crazy numbers on the field. He is the best WR they have had since Terrell Owens. Until these problems, if they even are problems, lead to him wanting off the team, it doesn't matter.

The Eagles have real problems. Their head coach apparently can't control his emotions without Big Dom there to reel him in. He was also just stripped of his duties running the offense. Their defense is devoid of talent outside of the D-Line. Howie Roseman is playing chicken with their best pass rusher. Those are things we should actually be worried about. For us to waste time worrying about what a top 5 NFL WR is saying on social media, is dumb. Move on.

The Philadelphia Eagles will likely enter the 2024 NFL Draft with eight picks. They interestingly only occupy only two of their original spots in the natural draft order. The volume of trades and maneuvers only make things more interesting throughout the most impactful weekend of the NFL offseason in downtown Detroit at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza.

The 22nd-overall pick will dominate the chatter leading up to the big day on Thursday, April 25. However, the remainder of the draft on April 26 and 27th could be just as consequential for the future of the franchise.

An aggressive general manager like Howie Roseman will always make things exciting. Look no further than a trade to land A.J. Brown on draft night in 2022 or a maneuver to swipe DeVonta Smith from the New York Giants in 2021. 

What does he have up his sleeve this year? The decision to trade Carson Wentz during the 2021 offseason enacted a trickle-down effect that’s helped the Eagles in three consecutive drafts. The loaded ammo finally runs out after the Eagles (presumably) use the 2nd-rounder from the New Orleans Saints in 2024.

The Eagles received four compensatory picks after the NFL announces the final draft order in March 2024. The key elements of the formula include the losses of key free agents like Javon Hargrave, T.J. Edwards, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency after the loss in Super Bowl LVII. The league’s compensatory formula also factors in minority candidates who leave an organization to take a job as a head coach or a general manager. 

The four compensatory picks will arm Roseman with some additional ammo to make moves early in the draft if he chooses to. The Eagles certainly have their fair share of needs after losing six of their final seven games.

How will Roseman choose to use his picks? If history has taught Philadelphia fans anything, be alert for some surprises before the Eagles are on the clock with the 22nd-overall pick on April 25.

Fans hoped the Eagles might pick a little bit later in the 1st round. The Eagles had the best record in the NFL when the calendar turned to November. The late-season slide and the early playoff exit has them in position to draft 22nd.

Their primary needs include offensive tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback. The Eagles selected Andre Dillard the last time they occupied the 22nd-overall spot in 2019.

Howie Roseman executed a blockbuster in 2022 with three 1st-round picks at his disposal. The mega-trade with the New Orleans Saints helped the Eagles get into position to acquire A.J. Brown and Jalen Carter. The last asset of the trade will materialize in 2024.

The Eagles still own their own 2nd-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Their first two picks are the only two of their seven total picks that weren’t acquired by trade or the compensatory formula. Memorable 2nd-round picks include Brian Dawkins, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, and Zach Ertz.

The Eagles acquired their 4th-round pick as part of the Kenny Pickett trade. They dealt a 3rd-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in what was essentially a trade back into a lower round. The deal also included a pair of 7th-round picks in 2025 that Howie Roseman sent to Western PA.

The name Jalen Reagor doesn’t spark many positive memories for Eagles fans. Roseman did trade the botched 1st-rounder for a reasonable return, however.

The Eagles cut their losses and walked away with a 7th-rounder in 2023 and a 5th-rounder in 2024. Reagor did not meet the conditions that could’ve moved this year’s pick to the 4th round.

The 2022 Eagles faced an unusual situation. They didn’t even worry about extending impending free agents during the season because there were too many key contributors on expiring contracts.

Javon Hargrave, T.J. Edwards, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson were among the key players who signed free-agent contracts and added to the compensatory formula that impacted the Eagles at the 2024 NFL Draft.

A pick in the 5th round of the NFL Draft might not look like much. Roseman has his fair share of good picks in the late rounds, however. He grabbed Kenny Gainwell and Halapoulivaati Vaitai to become solid contributors, and the franchise landed steals Trent Cole and Brent Celek out of Cincinnati in previous drafts.

NFL teams are happy if picks from the later rounds end up as contributors on special teams or short-term starters who give minimal contributions.

The occasional Hall of Famer doesn’t come along often, but remember that Jason Kelce came off the board in the 6th round of the 2011 NFL Draft after the Eagles selected Danny Watkins in the 1st round. You just never know.