Over the next few weeks leading up to training camp, we’ll be counting down the top 25 most important Eagles for the 2024 season.
25. Brandon Graham
24. Nakobe Dean
23. Milton Williams
22. Jake Elliott
21. Nolan Smith
20. Cooper DeJean
19. Reed Blankenship
18. Tyler Steen
17. Devin White
16. Quinyon Mitchell
15. Jordan Davis
14. Landon Dickerson
13. C.J. Gardner-Johnson
12. Dallas Goedert
11. Josh Sweat
10. Bryce Huff
9. Cam Jurgens
8. Saquon Barkley
7. Darius Slay
6. DeVonta Smith
5. Jalen Carter
4. Jordan Mailata
3. A.J. Brown
A.J. Brown has exceeded expectations as the city of Philadelphia has been longing for a standout wide receiver.
Brown has been nothing short of a superstar for the Eagles in the two years after Howie Roseman’s draft day deal with the Titans. Thus, it came as no surprise when the Eagles signed him to a new contract this summer, extending it until the 2029 campaign.
Brown is above average. He’s not simply fantastic. Already, he has set a record.
Here we have a receiver in the peak of his career who could go on to become a Hall of Famer.
Brown has already produced the two best receiving seasons in Eagles history in his two seasons with the team. In 2022 and 2023, he surpassed Mike Quick’s 38-year-old single-season record (1,409):
2022: 88 catches, 1,496 yards, 11 touchdowns
2023: 106 catches, 1,456 yards, 7 touchdowns
Since joining the Eagles in 2022, Brown is third in the NFL in receiving yards and sixth in receiving touchdowns. Here’s a look at the top five in receiving:
1. Tyreek Hill: 3,509
2. CeeDee Lamb: 3,108
3. A.J. Brown: 2,952
4. Justin Jefferson: 2,883
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown: 2,676
Brown’s production was a little uneven in 2023 but he had one of the most incredible stretches we’ve ever seen from an NFL wide receiver when he recorded six straight games with 125+ yards, surpassing a record held by Calvin Johnson (2012) and Pat Studstill (1966). He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.
In the last two years, Brown became the first Eagles player to have back-to-back 1,200 yard seasons and he went over 1,400 yards in each of them.
It seems hard to fathom that Brown could still get better but he has seemed especially driven this offseason after the Eagles’ season collapsed in 2023.
“Not every loss is a loss. I don’t even like to say a loss is a loss,” Brown said. “It’s always a lesson. It’s always something to learn from. I feel like you better learn something from it or it’s going to return. I’m always going to have that mentality to put in the work, grind and put my best foot forward and attack each and every day moving forward.
“I can’t worry about the past, I can’t worry about yesterday. I’m here right now and that’s all I have. Today, practice, that’s all I’m granted with and that’s what I got to do and give it my all today.”
The Eagles have all the makings of an elite offense in 2024. They have Brown, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, Dallas Goedert, Jalen Hurts and an offensive line that is still very good despite the retirement of Jason Kelce.
On top of it all, the Eagles brought in a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore this offseason in an attempt to maximize all that talent. We saw some growing pains in the spring but there’s no doubt this unit has the chance to be special.
All those other skill players are important but none are more important than Brown. They need to him to remain elite.