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Eagles Draft USC Star Makai Lemon in 1st Round After Trade
TL;DR
USC star receiver Makai Lemon was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 20 pick in the NFL Draft after they traded up. Lemon was initially expected to be picked earlier but fell due to unexpected selections by other teams.
Key points
- Makai Lemon drafted by Philadelphia Eagles at No. 20
- Eagles traded up to secure Lemon
- Lemon was expected to be picked earlier
Mentioned in this story
USC
Philadelphia EaglesLos Angeles RamsNFL DraftMakai Lemon
USC star receiver Makai Lemon was drafted with the No. 20 pick of the NFL Draft, taken by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lemon was heavily linked to staying in Southern California with the Los Angeles Rams throughout the NFL offseason, but they shocked the NFL world by drafting a quarterback.
The receiver was not expected to fall out of the top 16, but he did, though the slide ended when the Eagles traded up to No. 20 to take the Trojan.
The Eagles struck the trade with the Cowboys, moving up just a handful of spots, but they did not want to risk losing out on the pass-catcher.
Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Lemon was quarterback Jayden Maivia’s favorite weapon during the 2025 season. He seemingly caught any pass thrown within his radius, totaling 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He made all kinds of catches — contested, in space, jump balls, and point of attack. Lemon is not a top-tier athlete in terms of explosiveness, but his speed was more than enough to trouble any secondary that he faced.
Q&A
Why did the Eagles trade up to draft Makai Lemon?
The Eagles traded up to No. 20 to secure Makai Lemon, as they did not want to risk losing out on the talented receiver.
Which team was Makai Lemon expected to join before the draft?
Makai Lemon was heavily linked to the Los Angeles Rams before the NFL Draft but ultimately was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles.
What was Makai Lemon's draft position in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Makai Lemon was drafted with the No. 20 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
