Eagles Get Ironic Skill Group Ranking Compared to Patriots After A.J. Brown Trade

The 2026 NFL offseason was an eventful one for the Philadelphia Eagles, especially because they were waiting so long to finally trade A.J. Brown, and the countless rumors about the deal kept things alive for a while longer.

However, after the Eagles and New England Patriots finally made the trade, their respective offenses were set in stone and ready to go for the 2026 season. Both are some of the best units in the league.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell ranked every team's skill group, and in an ironic twist, the Eagles, after trading away Brown, ended up higher ranked than the Patriots after adding the All-Pro WR.

"Just ahead of Brown's new team, his old one falls off the top of the board to ninth," Barnwell writes.

While the Eagles went from the league's best skill group to the ninth-best in the league, they're still just a step ahead of the Patriots' skill group.

It's a fascinating comparison going position-by-position. While Drake Maye might have the advantage over Jalen Hurts, this is a ranking of the wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs on the roster.

Since the Brown trade was so important for both teams, the wide receiver room comparison is the most interesting one they could make.

A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte (barring a trade which has been rumored), Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, Efton Chishm III, and others make up the Patriots WR room.

DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Darious Cooper, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, and others make up the Eagles WR room.

Both are similarly talented rooms, with the Patriots likely having the edge with their better depth and Brown's addition to the team. But, RB and TE are favoring the Eagles.

Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby are better than Treveyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson, while Dallas Goedert and Eli Stowers are better than Hunter Henry and Eli Rairdon.

For as much hype as there's been about the Patriots offense with Maye, Brown, Doubs, and Henderson, the Eagles skill group around Hurts is still better than that of the Patriots.