Eagles Trade Up to Take Makai Lemon at No. 20
The Philadelphia Eagles traded up with the division-rival Dallas Cowboys and selected USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. The move gives quarterback Jalen Hurts another receiving option and signals the team’s intent to reshape the receiver room.
Philadelphia sent picks No. 23, 114, and 137 to Dallas in exchange for No. 20 and a 2027 seventh-round selection. Dallas used the 23rd pick on UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. The two NFC East rivals executed a similar first-round swap in 2021, when the Eagles moved up to select DeVonta Smith.
Lemon, 21, won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 2025 as college football’s top wide receiver. He caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns as USC’s lead receiver, earned unanimous first-team All-American honors, and was named first-team All-Big Ten. He is the second USC wide receiver to win the Biletnikoff Award, joining Marqise Lee. At 5-foot-11 and a listed 192 to 195 pounds, Lemon lined up both inside and outside at USC but projects as a primary slot option at the next level.
“He has a lot to like about him,” Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman said. “A competitor. Has the ability to separate in man coverage, out of the slot, he can play outside, physical player, really good with the ball in his hands. Really good hands, good in zone coverage, has really good instincts.”
The pick was widely read as preparation for life without A.J. Brown. Brown has not attended the Eagles’ voluntary offseason program. NFL Network reported shortly after the selection that Philadelphia is operating under the assumption Brown will not be on the team next season. A post-June 1 trade or release has been speculated for weeks because of the more favorable salary cap accounting after that date. If Brown departs, Lemon projects as the No. 2 option behind DeVonta Smith.
The Eagles acquired wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers on April 13 in a separate trade. That deal included a one-year, $12.5 million extension that keeps Wicks under contract through 2027. The receiver room also carries Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore. Head coach Nick Sirianni is back in place after the Eagles went 11-6 and won the NFC East in 2025 before a Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Philadelphia’s offense finished 19th in points per game last season. Sean Mannion is the new offensive coordinator after the team dismissed Kevin Patullo following the playoff exit.
“They traded up, it means a lot that they really want me,” Lemon said. “I’m all in and they’re going to get everything that I got.”