Eagles Leap Steelers To Land Makai Lemon In Draft-Day Trade Up

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft delivered a dramatic late twist as the Philadelphia Eagles executed a trade to move up and select wide receiver Makai Lemon at No. 20. The move reshaped the draft board and directly impacted plans across multiple teams.

Philadelphia climbed from No. 23 to No. 20 in a deal with the Dallas Cowboys, positioning itself ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had been preparing to select Lemon three picks later at No. 21.

According to reporting from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Pittsburgh had already made contact with Lemon and believed he would still be available when their turn arrived. That assumption changed quickly as Philadelphia finalized its trade.

The sequence created a rare draft-day overlap of intent, timing, and communication, ultimately resulting in Philadelphia securing a receiver Pittsburgh had targeted.

1. Steelers Lose Target In Final Moments

The Steelers entered the late stages of the first round with clear interest in Lemon. By the time they were on the clock at No. 21, the franchise had already begun direct communication with the receiver. General manager Omar Khan reportedly spoke with Lemon as Pittsburgh prepared to make its selection. At that point, the team believed it had positioned itself well to add a key offensive weapon. However, that plan unraveled quickly when Philadelphia finalized its trade up the board. The Eagles’ move placed them directly ahead of Pittsburgh and shifted control of the draft outcome. By the time Pittsburgh’s pick arrived, Lemon was no longer available, forcing the organization to pivot to an alternative option.

2. Eagles Execute Strategic Trade With Cowboys

Philadelphia’s front office acted decisively, sending picks No. 23, 114, and 137 to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the opportunity to move up three spots. The trade marked one of the more aggressive in-division-adjacent moves of the draft, reflecting Philadelphia’s urgency to secure a top receiving talent before rival teams could intervene. Dallas, meanwhile, used the acquired draft capital to strengthen its roster, selecting edge rusher Marcus Lawrence with the No. 23 pick after moving down. For the Eagles, the cost was significant but viewed as justified given their evaluation of Lemon’s value within their offensive structure.

3. Draft Implications And Receiver Outlook

Lemon’s selection at No. 20 made him the third wide receiver taken in the first round, reinforcing his status as one of the top offensive prospects in the class. His arrival in Philadelphia adds another layer to a receiving group that has been the subject of speculation throughout the offseason, particularly regarding veteran A.J. Brown. While trade rumors involving Brown circulated leading into the draft, no move materialized during the first round, leaving him on the roster for the time being. For Pittsburgh, the missed opportunity led to a shift in strategy, as the team selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21 instead, addressing a different area of need.