The Philadelphia Eagles shook up the primary evening of the 2022 NFL Draft by buying and selling for veteran Tennessee Titans receiver A.J. Brown, a deal that nobody noticed coming.
Brown, who's heading into his fourth season, joins DeVonta Smith — the Eagles' No. 10 total choose in 2021 — in Philly's passing assault as the highest two weapons for younger quarterback Jalen Hurts.
On Friday, Brown, 24, mentioned he believes enjoying alongside Smith, 23, will profit each of them and that something is feasible for the Eagles this season.
"I feel the sky is the restrict for Smitty. I’m excited for him in 12 months Two, I’m excited [for] the step he takes," Brown mentioned. "He’s a very good route runner. Guys early on of their profession — first yr, 12 months Two — they’re nonetheless creating. And he can run each route within the route tree. So it’s only a few [nuances], little issues that all of us can get higher at after which simply preserve tuning up our recreation and preserve creating."
"It takes the strain off the opposite man," Brown added. "For my part, Smitty is a large receiver one, and he’s going towards a cornerback No. 2, I anticipate Smitty to dominate, you realize? So, simply taking strain off one another. And even being on the identical facet, so you may’t actually double — that’s nice having one other nice wideout beside you."
The Eagles completed second within the NFC East final season with a 9-8 report. Smith led the Eagles with 64 receptions for 916 yards and 5 touchdowns as a rookie, only one yr after incomes the Biletnikoff Award and MVP honors within the CFP Nationwide Championship Recreation for Alabama.
Brown led the Titans in receiving the previous three seasons. His numbers had been barely diminished final yr (63 catches, 869 yards, 5 touchdowns) whereas enjoying by way of harm and seeing Tennessee's passing assault take a step again. His 16.19 common per catch over the previous three seasons trails solely Mike Williams (16.78) for the perfect mark within the NFL (min. 150 receptions). Brown additionally has 24 receiving TDs throughout that span. DK Metcalf (29) is the one participant from the 2019 draft class with extra.
