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It is official. The Patriots finally traded for wide receiver A.J Brown. The Patriots are reportedly trading a 2028 first and 2027 fifth round pick to the Eagles.

The trade has been rumored for months and it finally became a reality today as expected. Brown grew up a Patriots fan and had the Patriots as his preferred trade destination if he got dealt.

Now he pairs up with Drake Maye to give the Patriots arguably their best receiving threat since Rob Gronkowski.

Now that Brown is a Patriot, here are five ways he can impact the team.

1. Match up piece: Brown will be a match up problem for opposing defenses as a backside X receiver who can win one on one in contested catch situations. The Patriots can single him up on the back side of trips and they can reduce his alignment and use him in condensed formations to give him free releases and get him one on one. He will be a factor, especially in the red zone.

2. Gives the Patriots a true number one receiver: Brown will give the Patriots the true number one receiver that the team has lacked for years. He will be a viable go to guy for Drake Maye in any situation. Brown can be demanding on his quarterbacks but he is an alpha who plays and acts like a number one receiver.

3. Leadership in the receiver room: The 28 year old Brown is a respected veteran who demands a lot of his teammates. He will push himself and his teammates. He will lead by example. Don’t read too much into the toxic talk out of Philadelphia. Brown grew frustrated with Jalen Hurts. Getting the ball will not be an issue with Maye. Drake will get him the ball.

4. Go to guy: Go back to the 2018 AFC Championship game in Kansas City. When Tom Brady had to get a first down, especially in overtime, he threw the ball to either Gronkowski or Julian Edelman. The Patriots have not had that since. At best Stefon Diggs gave you some of that but he wasn’t a consistent go to guy throughout the season. Brown will be that.

5. Helps your run game: Brown is a physical and willing blocker. He gets after it in the run game. He uses good technique and sustains his blocks consistently. He can also be used in some fit looks as a lead blocker. The Patriots want to be physical. Brown will add to that identity. He will also be a factor versus man coverage on play action. He put up big numbers two years ago, one on one in play action.