One simple phone call at the 2026 NFL Draft almost proved disastrous for the Philadelphia Eagles, but it also made their first-round selection that much better of a story.
The Eagles made a bold move to trade up with the Dallas Cowboys to acquire the 20th overall pick to use on USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Seemed like a simple trade to select a player who is going to pretty much replace A.J. Brown, but it was explained on the broadcast that Philly actually had trouble getting a hold of Lemon at first because he was on the phone with the team picking 21st overall: the draft host team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lemon noticed it was the Eagles trying to call him on the other line and finally picked it up to confirm.
During his media availability, Lemon spoke with Eagles reporters to explain his side of the story on what happened.
"Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me and then the Eagles called at the same time. I guess it was meant to be. I'm super excited to be in Philly."
That story makes selecting Makai Lemon better for Eagles fans
The obvious reason this selection was great was that the Eagles got their wide receiver of the future in Lemon, who can line up in the slot and help this offense. He was considered one of the best receivers in the draft and ended up falling to the borderline of the top 20, opening the door for the Eagles to move up.
What may make it even better is that the Eagles literally stole Lemon away from the Steelers, the team hosting the draft and their in-state rivals. It's great to be able to nab someone who another team wanted and, in typical Howie Roseman style, rip the hearts out of another team with a fleecing move.
Read more: Eagles should be counting their blessings after near-disaster first round
Now the Eagles can sit back and enjoy having one of the top wide receivers in the draft, while Pittsburgh is left scrambling to figure out another plan. Roseman did it again in a beautiful way.
Add us as a preferred source on Google