Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) looks on prior to an NFC Wild Card Round game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Source: Imagn

Philadelphia Eagles Full Seven-Round Mock Draft: How Can Possible A.J. Brown Trade Affect Jalen Hurts’ Squad?

April 20, 2026 | 11:45 AM EDT

A.J. Brown’s future with the Philadelphia Eagles has long been speculated about, but a new report from insider Adam Schefter suggested that Brown could depart around the beginning of June. If true, the Eagles’ draft just got a lot clearer, at least at the top.

Per the Monday report from Schefter, conversations are set to take place between the Patriots and Eagles after the NFL draft, “likely culminating in a deal.”

“The Eagles remain open to trading AJ Brown, the Patriots remain highly interested in acquiring the star receiver, and conversations are expected to resume shortly on or before June 1, likely culminating in a deal, per league sources,” Schefter wrote.

Here’s a look at how the impending trade could affect the team’s draft choices via a full mock draft. Keep in mind that if the deal takes place after the NFL draft, there won’t be any 2026 NFL draft picks exchanged, as the event will have concluded by that time.

Full Philadelphia Eagles Mock Draft If A.J. Brown Leaves

#1 – Round 1, Pick 23: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

At the top of the list will be a wide receiver. At No. 23, the Eagles will be in line to select Omar Cooper Jr. The wide receiver enters the NFL with national championship experience, the closest thing to Super Bowl experience, and shows potential as a deep threat.

Cooper led the Big Ten in 2024 with 21.2 yards per reception. With DeVonta Smith likely to be the team’s top receiver no matter what in 2026, Cooper works as a deep threat and a player Hurts can hit after the focus goes to stopping Smith.

#2 – Round 2, Pick 54: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois

While offense will be a focus of the draft in the end, the Eagles could select Gabe Jacas out of Illinois with the team’s second pick. Jacas dominated in 2025 with 13.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.

His presence will help stop drives, which will get the ball to Jalen Hurts more often. With more drives comes more points and more yards, which will help the team reverse its woes from 2025.

#3 – Round 3, Pick 68: Eli Stowers, Tight End, Vanderbilt

Dallas Goedert will turn 32 years old this season, which means the Eagles will need to invest in the team’s next long-term solution. Eli Stowers has seen plenty of hype this draft cycle, but still needs to grow.

As a tight end who spent time as a quarterback in his college career, Stowers would be the perfect candidate to add an element of confusion to the offense, including with the Tush Push and conventional quarterback sneaks. Stowers makes plenty of sense as a tight end with trick play quarterback upside to help unlock the toughest yards.

#4 – Round 3, Pick 98: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State

To help the offense further and buy time for Jalen Hurts as well as open gaps for Saquon Barkley, the Eagles select Drew Shelton. Shelton will wait for his opportunity and learn behind Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata.

Johnson, who will turn 36 shortly after the NFL draft, is the most likely candidate to hand over his position to the rookie when he’s ready, whether that is this August or next August.

#5 – Round 4, Pick 114: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State

With the team set to lose A.J. Brown after a disastrous offensive season, Howie Roseman can’t afford to put all of his eggs in one basket. The franchise has proven it is not afraid to take FCS players after the team drafted Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State.

As such, Bryce Lance joins via the same pipeline. Lance posted 25 receiving touchdowns and two 1,000 yards seasons in his final two years with the Bison. Now, he has a shot to compete with Omar Cooper Jr. behind DeVonta Smith.

#6 – Round 4, Pick 137: Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri

With the offense addressed, the Eagles return to the defensive line, drafting Chris McClellan out of Missouri. McClellan posted the best season of his college career in 2025, ending a total of 14 plays in the backfield (eight tackles for loss and six sacks).

By defensive tackle standards, the ability to end plays as arguably the least supported player on the defense shows his chances of being productive in the NFL. Defensive tackle is often almost as neglected as offensive linemen, but the Eagles take care of business here.

#7 – Round 5, Pick 178: Kendal Daniels, LB, Oklahoma

One way to keep a defense young is to keep young players on tap. Kendal Daniels’ arrival will, at best, give the Eagles a cheap upgrade. At worst, Daniels’ arrival will light a fire under the incumbent linebackers and safeties, and move on without costing the Eagles much.

Of course, Daniels will have plenty of reason to be taken seriously as a safety/linebacker who racked up 105 tackles. 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two sacks in 2023. His wide-ranging abilities will give him plenty of opportunities on a squad with a need at safety.

#8 – Round 6, Pick 197: Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami

The Eagles double up at safety with the addition of Jakobe Thomas. If Kendal Daniels makes it clear that he views himself as a linebacker first, the Eagles will be able to pivot to Thomas.

Thomas earned 76 tackles, five interceptions, four tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2025. After spending time on a team that finished second in the country in the race to the national championship, he gives Philadelphia the closest thing to NFL Super Bowl experience, which means he is likely to show up if Jalen Hurts get to the Big Game for the third time in his career.