Early Returns Leave Patriots and Rams Regretting Blockbuster Trades

With the NFL trade deadline a week away, early evaluations of two major June deals are turning against the teams that acquired the stars. New England sent Philadelphia a 2028 opening-round selection and a 2027 fifth-round choice for Brown; the Rams gave Cleveland three picks across the 2027–29 drafts and defensive end Jared Verse for Garrett. Both players have spent most of the season sidelined by injuries.

Brown hurt his ankle in his Patriots debut against Seattle and went on injured reserve. He returned for the Week 6 game against the Jets, but later missed New England’s matchup with Miami after ankle and knee problems. Across three appearances, the 29-year-old has nine receptions for 101 yards on 20 targets, with no touchdowns. The Patriots had also signed Romeo Doubs and traded Kayshon Boutte, while former Patriot Stefon Diggs has scored five times in six games for Washington.

Garrett played 62% of the Rams’ defensive snaps in a Week 1 loss to San Francisco in Melbourne, recording no tackles, quarterback hits or sacks and generating three pressures. He was placed on injured reserve days later and had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The Rams are optimistic he could return to practice this week, but he has yet to play again.

Los Angeles is 4–4 and outside the NFC playoff picture, while New England is 5–3. Cleveland has Verse, 25, and the Rams’ picks in three successive drafts. Verse has had a difficult start with the Browns, but his age and two Pro Bowl selections leave Cleveland with a longer-term potential return. The early grades favor the Eagles and Browns; Garrett’s possible return could still change the Rams’ outlook.