It was quite the eventful first round of the 2026 NFL Draft for the Philadelphia Eagles, as while they got one of their top targets on the big board, it almost didn't happen.
The Eagles made a bold move in the first round as they made a trade with their division rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, to go from pick 23 to pick 20. Philly used that 20th overall selection to get USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
This seemed like a great trade and selection for the Eagles, which it was, given their current roster situation: A.J. Brown is about to be traded, and they need to find a proper replacement for him. That was at least a solid ending to a first round that was less than ideal for the franchise.
Eagles nearly had a disasterous first round that was saved by Makai Lemon
Many thought the Eagles were potentially looking at offensive linemen with their first-round selection, but it ended up being six of them being taken between picks nine and 19. The Eagles also lost out on some talented pass catchers, with two receivers and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq off the board as well.
That left the Eagles in a situation where they had to do something to acquire a first-round talent before losing all their top options. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman admitted to the media after the selection that Lemon was the last player left on their big board in the first round.
They were lucky because the Pittsburgh Steelers were on the opposite side of a phone call with Lemon when the Eagles were trying to make their pick. Thankfully, Lemon picked up the Eagles' call, and they were able to make the selection they wanted to make with the rest being young history.
Well, the Eagles might have lost two fourth-round picks in the process, but they are getting the Fred Biletnikoff Award winner from last year as the nation's best wide receiver. Lemon finished the season with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Read more: Howie Roseman's latest draft pick could be the 'prototype' WR Eagles needed
The Eagles accomplished what they needed to by getting a stellar wide receiver in the draft to replace Brown. Roseman's work isn't done yet, as he's got more great prospects on his big board he's got to go after and select.
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