The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t brought in anyone to replace A.J. Brown directly.
They didn’t go for a clear No. 1 receiver in the draft or add anyone specifically meant to step into his role. The passing attack, which averaged 28 points per game with him, dropped to just 15 without him.
Howie Roseman’s response wasn’t about direct replacements. He took Cole Payton, a 230-pound quarterback with 4.5 speed and nearly 800 rushing yards last year, and Eli Stowers, a tight end who posted a sub-4.6 forty and a 45-inch vertical jump but projects more as a hybrid than an in-line player.
Payton and Stowers: Not depth moves, but key pieces in an offensive overhaul
Payton finished his college career with a 72% completion rate, along with 2,700 passing yards and 777 rushing yards. That doesn’t fit the usual quarterback mould. He’s the sort of player who could line up under centre, take direct snaps near the goal line, or run designed plays while Jalen Hurts is positioned elsewhere.
Stowers brings a similar approach to tight end. His numbers from the combine are off the charts — a 45.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-3 broad jump. He led all FBS tight ends in receiving production and posted elite efficiency metrics. But he’s not someone you’d call a traditional blocker. Instead of fitting into one defined role, he’s more about creating mismatches across multiple spots — whether that’s in the slot, outside or even inline.
Most teams look to fill gaps in their roster through the draft. The Eagles seemed to go another way entirely, choosing instead to blur positional lines altogether. That sets this offseason apart from most others. Roseman isn’t trying to directly replace Brown with another top receiver — instead, he seems focused on building unpredictability into every snap.
There are only a few teams that have tried similar systems, and none has stuck with it
Most offences haven’t looked like this for a reason. The closest modern example is Taysom Hill in New Orleans, who has been more of an extra piece than the focus of the entire attack. He’s been effective in that role, but the Saints never built their identity around it. It was more of a wrinkle than a foundation.
The Eagles are taking it much further. This isn’t just adding another option; it’s building their offence around multiple looks and players. The old NFL saying goes, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have none.” Philadelphia could end up using three if Payton gets significant time alongside Hurts.
Variability can be valuable when everyone on the offence understands their roles, and the defence doesn’t. But if your own side starts to get lost in the mix, unpredictability turns into chaos quickly.
The Eagles are betting on a system change, not a talent replacement
Brown wasn’t just a receiver — he was the backbone of the passing game. Everything went through him, from target share and spacing to physicality and reliability. With him in the lineup, the Eagles averaged 28 points per game. Without him, that number dropped to 15.
That’s more than just a dip in production; it’s a complete loss of identity. And instead of trying to find someone who can step into Brown’s role, the Eagles chose to rebuild their offence so it doesn’t rely on any one player.
That marks a shift from structured play to something closer to improvisation. There’s a chance it works because defences won’t know what’s coming. But there’s also real risk that players struggle without clear roles week after week.
Eli Stowers doesn’t fit the mould of a typical tight end – and that’s exactly the point
If this approach is going to work, it will be because of players like Stowers. His combination of size, speed and explosiveness gives him an edge over traditional tight ends or receivers. At 240 pounds with a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and a 45.5-inch vertical, he can match up against linebackers in the slot, safeties on the outside or even defensive ends in-line, creating unique challenges wherever he lines up.
However, he’s not known for his blocking or as a polished route runner in the classic sense. His impact will depend entirely on how well the coaching staff uses him. If they put him in positions to take advantage of his athleticism, he can create real problems for defences. But if not used correctly, he risks being a player without a clear role.
There is nothing safe about this pick — it is designed to swing the outcome of the entire season
Philadelphia is not looking for stability. They are betting on a profile that can force defensive coordinators to account for more players than ever before. That bet will hit or miss, and there is nothing built into Payton’s college profile that suggests he can settle into a quiet rotational role if it does not work.
The Eagles have built one of the best offensive lines in football, paid their franchise quarterback, signed elite wide receivers and tight ends and even made backfield improvements. This was not a roster in need of small-scale upgrades. It was a situation where range mattered more than replacement.
Roseman takes a huge risk, and there’s little room for mistakes
Roseman is known for his ability to control the draft. He has moved up to secure specific targets, traded down to accumulate more picks, and turned those picks into valuable assets. That approach has worked well for him in the past.
This year’s strategy feels different. It’s not just about adding talent—it’s about reimagining how that talent fits together. The idea requires precise execution because if roles aren’t clearly defined, versatility can quickly turn into confusion. And if the system falters, it can fall apart fast.
Philadelphia is betting on creativity over consistency, flexibility over star power, and unpredictability over structure. So far, there hasn’t been much proof that this kind of approach works as more than a wrinkle rather than a foundation.
If it pays off, though, the Eagles could end up with an offence that no one else in the league can match. If it doesn’t work out, people will see this not as an innovative move but as an attempt to replace their top receiver with too many unproven ideas.
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