How Eagles traded up to pick Makai Lemon while WR was on phone with Steelers

One phone call likely altered Makai Lemon's destiny of playing in eastern Pennsylvania vs. the west half of the state.

The USC wide receiver wound up being selected with the No. 20 pick in Thursday's first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Philadelphia Eagles trading up from No. 23 to grab Lemon as a likely A.J. Brown replacement.

However, picking at No. 21, the Pittsburgh Steelers were reportedly talking with Lemon at the moment the Eagles moved up — leading to Howie Roseman grabbing the receiver before the 2026 draft's hosts even had a chance to take him.

Here's how Philadelphia wound up taking Lemon while he was talking to the team's in-state rival, the Steelers.

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Eagles trade up for Makai Lemon while WR talks on phone with Steelers

The NHL isn't the only sport where Philadelphia has had a recent upper hand over Pittsburgh. According to Ian Rapoport, there was a good reason the Eagles moved up to No. 20 in the first round, trading up three picks with the Cowboys: the Steelers were making plans to select Lemon at No. 21.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers get on the phone with Makai Lemon, planning to select him next at 21. Except what they didn't know, is the Eagles had actually traded up over them," Rapoport explained.

With Lemon on the phone with the Steelers, Rapoport said that the Eagles struggled to get in connection with the USC star — Lemon "wasn't answering because he was already on the phone with the Steelers."

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

Lemon also confirmed that report, saying his phone "kept ringing" and that he believed "everything happened for a reason." 

In the end, thanks to their trade-up, the Eagles jumped in front of the Steelers to take Lemon, while Pittsburgh moved on to Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor.

MORE: What Makai Lemon pick means for A.J. Brown, Eagles' offense