Howie Roseman’s high-stakes gamble: Choose chaos, skip the A.J. Brown replacement

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images 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.