It took almost the entire first round, but the Philadelphia Eagles once again moved up to take USC receiver Makai Lemon at No. 20 in the 2026 NFL Draft. In doing so, they literally foiled the Pittsburgh Steelers’ plan as it unfolded.
The Steelers were not only eyeing Lemon with their No. 21 pick, but they had already gotten him on the phone with general manager Omar Khan. Meanwhile, the Eagles worked out a deal with the Dallas Cowboys to move up from their spot at No. 23 to steal Lemon.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers got on the phone with Makai Lemon, planning to select him next at No. 21,” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said. “Except what they didn’t know was that the Eagles traded up over them and were trying to get in touch with Lemon, but he wasn’t answering because he was already on the phone with the Steelers. In the end, the Eagles do the trade, they get Makai Lemon and the Steelers grab a tackle right after.”
From the NFL Draft: A wild story, as the #Eagles trade up for Makai Lemon… while he was on the phone with the #Steelers. pic.twitter.com/r1R6pQnFgi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2026
The Steelers had to settle for Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21 after having Lemon taken right out of their hands.
Philadelphia sent picks Nos. 23, 114 and 137 to the Cowboys to complete the rare in-division deal. Dallas wound up taking UCF edge-rusher Marcus Lawrence at No. 23, which was its second first-round selection.
The Eagles moving up to make Lemon the third receiver taken in the first round further indicates their plans to trade A.J. Brown. Many believed that Brown might get moved during the draft, but he remains in Philadelphia for at least one more day.
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