The 2022 A.J. Brown Trade: Philadelphia Turned Two Draft Picks Into a Franchise Receiver
Philadelphia sent Tennessee picks 18 and 101 for A.J. Brown, then signed him long term. Brown immediately transformed the Eagles passing game and became a centerpiece of a championship era.
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player A.J. Brown
Tennessee Titans Received
- pick 2022 1st round pick (18th overall, Treylon Burks )
- pick 2022 3rd round pick (101st overall subsequently traded, Jeremy Ruckert )
Trade Summary
Philadelphia acquired A.J. Brown for the first-round pick used on Treylon Burks and a third-round pick, then turned Brown into an elite centerpiece of a championship offense. He helped the Eagles reach two Super Bowls, scored in their Super Bowl LIX victory, and in 2026 Philadelphia later traded him to New England for a 2028 first-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Philadelphia acquired A.J. Brown from Tennessee during the first round of the 2022 draft for picks No. 18 and No. 101. The Titans used No. 18 on Treylon Burks and later moved No. 101 as part of another draft trade. The Eagles immediately gave Brown the long-term contract Tennessee had been unable to complete.
Why Philadelphia Paid the Price
The Eagles were buying a proven No. 1 receiver rather than waiting on another prospect. Brown immediately gave Jalen Hurts a physical, explosive target who could win downfield, break tackles and punish single coverage. Philadelphia reached Super Bowl LVII in Brown's first season, and he produced three straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2022 through 2024.
The trade's legacy became even stronger in the 2024 championship season. Brown remained a central piece of the offense and caught a touchdown in Philadelphia's 40-22 victory over Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX. At that point the Eagles had already received the kind of peak production and postseason payoff that justifies surrendering premium draft capital.
What Tennessee Received
Tennessee tried to replace Brown with Burks while gaining flexibility around a costly extension. The logic was understandable, but the return never delivered comparable football value. Burks did not become the same caliber of receiver, while Brown developed into one of the signature players of Philadelphia's championship window.
The Long-Term Legacy
Philadelphia also recovered substantial value when it traded Brown to New England in June 2026 for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. That later transaction does not change what Tennessee received, but it makes the Eagles' original investment look even better: four productive seasons, a championship, and premium draft capital on the exit.
Final Verdict
The Philadelphia Eagles Win verdict is decisive. Tennessee received legitimate draft assets, but Philadelphia got the elite player, championship-level production and eventually another first-round pick when the Brown era ended.