It made perfect sense for Philly not to ask for a 2026 first baseman in a shallow draft, given the financial implications of trading Brown before June 1st. But the fact that the top spot didn’t come in 2027 underscores the lack of leverage he had after the Los Angeles Rams were eliminated.
The Eagles received less in return for Brown than the Dolphins received for Jaylen Waddle – 2026 first and third picks. Both are great receivers, and Waddle is 19 months younger, but Brown is clearly the better player at this level, and in the top five wide receivers when he’s right.
Roseman knows he’s spinning because at some point, when the uber-trader is talking to another GM about a potential trade and the Eagles are trying to squeeze out a more favorable deal, he’s going to get that “a pick is a pick” quote thrown back in his face. Howie will probably laugh and continue to push for a pick that isn’t two drafts away from when they’re dealing.
Fortunately for Roseman, he has the job security to wait until 2028 for his first round pick and could use that chip next year to move up. It’s not ideal, but given that the situation with Brown became untenable and Philly was negotiating from a negative position, it’s better than what they could have gotten.
“I think from our perspective, getting the first pick for our team, having two first-rounders in ’28, is a big, big part of this step,” Roseman said. “I think when you look at it and obviously the potential of what you can do by having multiple first-round picks, it makes a huge difference and I’m very, very confident that those picks are the most valuable thing you can add when you’re building your team. It’s going to be a good draft as well and we’re going to be in a position to really improve our football team.”
Roseman got his first round pick. He just has to wait a while before he can actually destroy it.