The Philadelphia Eagles picked up eight new players during the 2026 NFL Draft.
The first of the Eagles’ draft picks was Makai Lemon, whom the Birds selected with the No. 20 overall pick, writes Nick Kariuki for Billy Penn at WHYY.
It wasn’t a simple pick, however.
The Eagles traded up three spots with the rival Dallas Cowboys in exchange for two fourth-round picks in order to take Lemon.
Speaking of rivals, the trade helped the Birds usurp the in-state rival Pittsburgh Steelers who were already on the phone with Lemon to let him know they planned to draft him.
However, the Eagles moved quicker.
“It took us a couple of minutes to contact the player and get him on the phone,” said Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. “but we were able to get in touch with him and obviously select him.”
The wide receiver capped off his three-year career at the University of Southern California by winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award. This award is given to the most outstanding receiver in college football.
He finished his final season at USC with 1,156 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns.
What can Eagles fans expect from Lemon?
“They gettin’ a dawg,” he said upon being drafted.
Read more about Makai Lemon as he begins to acclimate himself to Bird culture at Billy Penn at WHYY.
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