In the latter half of Day 1 of the 2026 Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers missed out on wide receiver Makai Lemon as a spillover from a last-minute trade-up between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. 

In his coverage for CBS Sports, Zachary Pereles raved about Eagles general manager Howie Roseman’s strategy to land Lemon. 

“After the Eagles landed wide receiver Makai Lemon at No. 20 overall, there was one general sentiment: Howie Roseman has done it again,” he wrote.

“Roseman's patented aggressiveness -- he traded up from No. 23 to No. 20, even though the deal involved the arch-rival Cowboys -- was on display, and the result was him landing a wide receiver whose floor was thought to be several picks earlier.”

Roseman worked out a trade while the Steelers were reportedly on a call with Lemon, convinced they’ve utilized their 21st pick. 

However, the USC Trojans player will be seen in the Eagles’ green and silver colors in the coming season. 

The unexpected collaboration between arch-rivals, the Cowboys and the Eagles, was their 7th ever trade in 37 years. Jerry Jones’ franchise sent their #20 and #218 slots to the Eagles in return for #23 and two Round 4 selections slotted at #114 and #137.

According to CBS Sports writer Zachary Pereles, with this trade, A.J. Browns’ exit from the Eagles now seems imminent. 

And in that case, Lemon is a good replacement as Pereles called him a “smart, reliable target” for quarterback Jalen Hurts. And Lemon’s numbers speak for themselves. In 2025, the 21-year-old made 79 receptions for 1,156 yards, scoring 11 touchdowns. 

Lemon had previously met with the Eagles during the NFL Combine and stopped by during his Top 30 visits. He called his earlier interactions with the team “genuine” before sharing his perspective.

Makai Lemon Makes His Feelings Clear On The Trade-up

In his first-ever media interaction after being drafted as an Eagles player, Lemon expressed his gratitude at the turnout. 

“First, I answered the phone, and it was the Steelers. And then the phone kept ringing,” he shared. “I look, and it’s the Eagles. Obviously traded up, and then they were going to pick me. I feel like everything happens for a reason. It means a lot that they really want me.”

And while this draft pick was unanticipated, no one was left more surprised than Lemon himself. In another conversation with Micah Parsons and Blecher Reporter, the wide receiver admitted he was not expecting the result. 

“It’s definitely, you know, unexpected, but it’s a great feeling,” he said. “You know I’ve been waiting so long for this moment, so to get it really home and to call, Philly, I couldn’t be more happy.”

The Eagles have scooped up Lemon, leaving the Steelers to come up with another plan for the remaining two days.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi