Last Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles made arguably the biggest trade of the NFL draft by dealing the 18th overall pick and a third-round pick (101) to the Tennessee Titans for star wide receiver AJ Brown. The Eagles then signed Brown to a four-year $100 million contract with $57 million guaranteed, per NFL Network.
Bringing in talent like Brown has given the Eagles fandom a lot to be excited about, and below are the three biggest reasons why.
The Wide Receiver Drought
In today’s pass-heavy NFL top receivers, having 1,000 yards in a season has become a regular achievement for players at the position. This past season 26 wide receivers reached the 1,0000-yard mark.
However, this achievement has evaded the Eagles’ wide receiver room for nearly a decade. The last Philadelphia receiver to reach the 1,000-yard mark was Desean Jackson in 2013. Jackson was then traded months later and since then the Eagles have been in a wide receiver drought.
Multiple players have come close to that achievement with Jordan Matthews reaching 997 yards in the 2015 season. Despite winning the Super Bowl in the 2017 season since Matthews, the Eagles struggled at their wide receiver position.
Philadelphia even made history in 2019 when Carson Wentz became the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 4,000 yards without a receiver amassing over 500 yards per StatMuse.
The drought would end when the Eagles selected Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith with the 10th pick in the 2021 NFL draft. However, despite having an excellent rookie season, Smith fell short, gaining 916 yards on the year.
Reason #1: Rain is headed towards Philadelphia
If the Eagles are in a wide receiver drought, AJ Brown is the rain that will allow the offense to flourish.
In his first two seasons with the Titans Brown did something no Philadelphia receiver has done since Jackson which is to reach the 1,000-yard mark. Brown came bursting on the scene with 1,051 yards and eight touchdowns in his opening season.
The following year he improved his numbers posting 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns on his way to his first pro bowl. Despite him being 140 yards short of reaching the 1,000-yard mark in his third year it is clear that Brown is a dominant force in the NFL.
Reason #2: Unselfish Style of Play
With young stars in the Eagles’ offense such as Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Miles Sanders, a concern fans could have is that there won’t be enough opportunities for AJ Brown.
However, what separates Brown from most wide receivers in the NFL is that he thrives with the talent surrounding him. Back in his college days at the University of Mississippi, Brown was a part of a loaded receiver room that included NFL second-round picks Elijah Moore and DK Metcalf.
Josh McCoy/Ole Miss Athletics
Although this Brown was still able to shine, catching 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns in his sophomore year. He followed it up with an even better performance in his final year at the school gaining 1,320 yards and six touchdowns.
Even with Brown’s dominant numbers, Metcalf and Moore still had enough opportunity on the field to make themselves high-level picks in the NFL.
The same can happen with Smith and the other players in the Eagles’ offense. It is a win-win for Philadelphia because when defenses focus on Brown that creates opportunities for everyone else.
When defenses decide to leave Brown on an island, they end up on ESPN’s top 10.
Reason 3: New Team, Same Style
Last year the Eagles led the NFL in rushing, averaging 159 yards per game. It was no secret that Philadelphia was in a run-dominant offense, with Hurts and Sanders having over 130 carries. Normally this style of offense could frustrate wide receivers because they want a more pass-heavy attack.
However, that will not be an issue with Brown because he comes from a similar situation. In 2019 the Titans finished top three in rushing yards. In 2020 the Titans finished second in rushing, both of those years were Brown’s 1,000-yard seasons.
Brown has shown he is not only able to function in a run-heavy offense but that he can flourish in it. With Brown only being 24 years old and the Eagles having him under contract until he’s 30, the future looks bright in Philadelphia.
 to the Tennessee Titans for star wide receiver AJ Brown. The Eagles then signed Brown to a four-year $100 million contract with $57 million guaranteed, per NFL Network.){kind=link}