Sep 13, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) warms up before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images Marc Lebryk
If the 3-0 lead that the Flyers currently have over the Penguins wasn't enough, Philadelphia earned another victory over Pittsburgh during the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday night.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport says that the Steelers — hosting this year's NFL Draft — were going to take Makai Lemon with the 21st overall pick, only for the Eagles to leapfrog them while they were on the phone with the former USC star.
"Let me set the scene for you. The Dallas Cowboys were on the clock at 20, with everyone knowing they were going defense. Pittsburgh Steelers get on the phone with Makai Lemon, planning to select him next at 21. Except what they didn't know is that the Eagles had actually traded up over them, and were trying to get in touch with Lemon, but he wasn't answering because he was already on the phone with the Steelers. In the end, the Eagles do the trade, they get Makai Lemon. The Steelers grab a tackle right after."
To move up, the Eagles traded the 23rd pick and two fourth-round selections, Nos. 114 and 137, to the division-rival Cowboys. Obviously, it's uncommon for the Eagles and Cowboys to trade together with each other, but this deal made sense for both sides. The Cowboys don't need a wide receiver, because they have arguably the top duo in the league with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The Eagles — seemingly on the cusp of moving on from A.J. Brown — wanted to restock their receiver depth chart behind DeVonta Smith, and had they stayed at No. 23, they wouldn't have gotten their desired target.
The Steelers did improve their offense a pick later by taking Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, but their skill-position talent is still pretty thin as they wait to see if Aaron Rodgers will return for a second season in the Steel City.
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
