Makai Lemon had quite the draft night to begin his NFL career.
Lemon, one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL draft, did not hear his name called Thursday through the first 19 picks of the first round. The Dallas Cowboys were also widely expected to pass on Lemon with their 20th pick in favor of a defensive player.
That was before the Philadelphia Eagles swooped in at the last minute, trading up with the Cowboys to nab the USC star at 20. Nobody told the Pittsburgh Steelers that, however, as they geared up to draft Lemon at 21.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, the Steelers were already on the phone with Lemon as the Cowboys were on the clock. The Eagles were trying to call Lemon, but hilariously couldn’t get through because Lemon was still talking to Pittsburgh’s brass.
From the NFL Draft: A wild story, as the #Eagles trade up for Makai Lemon… while he was on the phone with the #Steelers. pic.twitter.com/r1R6pQnFgi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2026
The whole thing played out like a high school love triangle, complete with the usual teenage miscommunication and last-minute moves. Lemon must have at least felt quite the ego boost, given that two suitors were fighting over him right before prom.
The Eagles made the move for Lemon in the first place because they wanted out of their current relationship with wide receiver AJ Brown. Only time will tell whether Lemon will just be a rebound for Philly or if the two sides end up tying the knot with a second contract in a few years.
