NFL Draft Notebook: How the Myles Garrett and A.J. Brown trades could reshape Browns and Eagles draft plans

This past week saw two blockbuster trades shake up the NFL landscape, with Myles Garrett landing with the Los Angeles Rams and A.J. Brown heading to the New England Patriots. While both moves help teams with Super Bowl aspirations, they could also have a significant impact on the future draft plans of the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. 

In this week's NFL Draft Notebook, we break down how those trades could shape future drafts, highlight a potential late-round steal at running back, examine one of the most explosive runners in the 2027 NFL Draft, and much more.

Browns and Eagles' new NFL Draft plans

Two blockbuster trades this past week could have a significant impact on the 2027 NFL Draft. The biggest move saw the Cleveland Browns send NFL Defensive MVP Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, a 2029 third-round pick, and talented young edge rusher Jared Verse. The second major deal sent A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles to the New England Patriots for a 2027 fifth-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick. 

Let's start with the Browns, who landed the stronger return package thanks to the inclusion of a 2027 first-round pick and Verse. While the Rams' selection will likely come late in the first round, given their status as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, it still gives Cleveland added flexibility. If the Browns fall just outside the range needed to land a franchise quarterback, that extra first-rounder could become valuable ammunition in a trade-up scenario, especially if a team such as the Las Vegas Raiders is sitting in front of them without a pressing need at quarterback.

The Browns could also simply keep the pick and address another need. Cornerback stands out as one possibility, especially if Tyson Campbell becomes a cap casualty after the season. One prospect who could fit that range is Notre Dame cornerback DJ McKinney, who has the size, athleticism, and upside to develop into a first-round pick.

Another direction Cleveland could go is reinforcing its defensive line. The addition of Verse gives the Browns one of the NFL's more promising young fronts alongside Alex Wright and Mason Graham. However, veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins is scheduled to become a free agent after the season and will be entering his age-32 campaign. One player to watch is Miami defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., who generated 4.5 sacks and 27 pressures last season while showing the disruptive traits NFL teams covet on the interior.

As for the Eagles, the trade is unlikely to have a major impact on their 2027 draft plans since the immediate return is only a fifth-round pick. However, the additional 2028 first-round selection could prove valuable as Philadelphia prepares for future roster decisions. Players such as Nolan Smith and Cooper DeJean have only two years remaining on their current deals, and the extra first-round pick could eventually help the Eagles replace one of those cornerstone players if contract negotiations become difficult.

Rutgers next great value back

One of the more physical and determined runners in the 2027 NFL Draft is Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond. His game will remind some evaluators of former Scarlet Knight Kyle Monangai, who became one of the best value selections in the 2025 NFL Draft after the Chicago Bears landed him in the seventh round. Monangai quickly outperformed his draft slot, rushing for 783 yards as a rookie, and Raymond has a chance to follow a similar path.

Like Monangai, Raymond thrives as a downhill runner who consistently creates yardage after contact. He finished last season with 76 forced missed tackles, which ranked third among Power Four running backs, while his 884 yards after contact ranked fifth according to PFF. His elite contact balance stands out on film, as he routinely bounces off defenders and welcomes physical encounters. Raymond runs with a punishing style and rarely shies away from lowering his shoulder to finish runs.

Raymond is also a decisive runner whose one-cut style should translate well to zone-based rushing attacks. Once he identifies a crease, he gets north and south quickly and wastes little movement. He offers additional value in the passing game after totaling 225 receiving yards last season, helping him average 122.2 all-purpose yards per game, the second-highest mark in the Big Ten. He is also a reliable pass protector, earning a 75.8 pass-blocking grade from PFF.

The biggest concern surrounding Raymond's NFL projection is his athletic ceiling. He lacks the burst and long speed that teams typically look for in feature backs, which limits his home-run potential and could cap his workload at the next level. He is also a somewhat upright runner who relies more on power than lateral agility, making him unlikely to consistently make defenders miss in space.

When all is said and done, Raymond projects as a late-round value pick who can carve out a role as a short-yardage and red-zone specialist. That role fits his skill set perfectly, and it is one he has already excelled in at Rutgers, finding the end zone 23 times over the past two seasons.

Scouting Notes

- One of the most explosive running backs in the 2027 NFL Draft is Isaac Brown of Louisville. Last season, Brown averaged an impressive 8.8 yards per carry, while his 5.33 yards after contact per attempt ranked second in the FBS. When watching his film, it is easy to see why he was so productive. Brown possesses elite speed and home-run ability, breaking off numerous long runs, including recording at least one 50-yard rush in five different games. He is also a decisive one-cut runner whose vision and acceleration make him an ideal fit in a zone-blocking scheme. 

- A team that could be looking to draft a running back early in the 2027 NFL Draft is the New York Giants. Their top two backs, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo, have both dealt with injuries during their careers, including Skattebo missing the final nine games of last season. The Giants also showed interest in upgrading the position this offseason, exploring options in free agency, including Kenneth Walker, and reportedly considering a running back in the draft before the Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love two picks ahead of them. One player the Giants will likely be studying closely this season is Florida's Jadan Baugh, who is coming off a breakout year in which he accounted for more than 1,300 total yards.

- The Miami Hurricanes produced two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with both Reuben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor hearing their names called among the top 22 selections. The next Hurricane who could find himself in the first-round conversation is Damon Wilson. After recording nine sacks and 54 quarterback pressures while earning Second-Team All-SEC honors at Missouri, Wilson made the move to Miami this offseason as one of the top transfers in the country. When projecting him to the NFL, teams will be drawn to his explosive first step and ability to bend and turn the corner as a pass rusher. If he can build on last season's production, Wilson has a legitimate chance to continue Miami's recent run of first-round defensive linemen.

- One position the Washington Commanders will likely be paying close attention to while scouting the 2027 NFL Draft is wide receiver. Outside of Terry McLaurin, the team has very little proven production at the position. Their other projected starters could be third-round pick Antonio Williams and Treylon Burks, who has managed just 14 receptions over the past two seasons. Simply put, that is not the type of supporting cast Jayden Daniels needs as he continues to develop into one of the NFL's top young quarterbacks. If Washington ends up targeting a receiver early in the draft, the two names at the top of my board entering the season are Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Texas's Cam Coleman. Both have the size, athleticism, and playmaking ability to immediately elevate the Commanders' receiving corps. 

- An intriguing NFL Draft prospect to watch is former Major League Baseball player Jordyn Adams, who has signed with SMU after spending eight seasons in professional baseball. Adams is a player NFL scouts will be monitoring closely because he was once one of the most highly regarded football recruits in the country. According to 247Sports, he was a five-star prospect, the No. 14 overall player in the nation, and the No. 3 wide receiver in his class behind only Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ja'Marr Chase. While his baseball career never fully took off, his elite athleticism and natural ball skills remain intriguing. It is still unclear whether Adams will be eligible to play for SMU this season, but even if he never takes a snap in college football, his athletic profile alone should earn him opportunities to impress NFL teams in the future.

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