Sports
2026 NFL Draft: Five happiest -- and five unhappiest -- NFL players, coaches and GMs after first round
CBS Sports Headlines
Sports
Eagles stop draft Makai Lemon: Fantasy outlook for Eagles offense, A.J. Brown's future and more
TL;DR
The Philadelphia Eagles selected USC's Makai Lemon with the 20th pick in the NFL Draft, potentially replacing A.J. Brown, who is expected to be traded after June 1. The Eagles traded up from the 23rd pick to secure Lemon.
Key points
- Eagles selected USC's Makai Lemon with the 20th pick
- A.J. Brown is expected to be traded after June 1
- New England Patriots are the front-runners for Brown
- Eagles traded up from the 23rd pick to secure Lemon
- Lemon could be the No. 1 receiver in this draft class
Makai LemonPhiladelphia EaglesNew England PatriotsA.J. Brown
Emilee Chinn / Getty Images
The Philadelphia receiving corps will look different this season, as the Eagles added potentially their new No. 1 weapon in the passing game during the NFL Draft on Thursday night. Philadelphia traded up with Dallas to No. 20 overall in the first round and selected USC's Makai Lemon, who should replace A.J. Brown once he is eventually traded.
The Eagles are expected to trade Brown after June 1 because of his contract, and the Patriots are reportedly the front-runner to acquire him. We'll address that trade once it happens.
On Thursday, Philadelphia gave Dallas pick No. 23 overall in Round 1 and two fourth-rounders (114 and 137) for No. 20 overall and a Round 7 pick. The Eagles got a potential steal in Lemon, who could be the No. 1 receiver in this draft class.
Lemon is the fourth receiver Philadelphia has acquired this offseason along with Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore and Dontayvion Wicks. Once A.J. Brown is traded, that group will compete with DeVonta Smith to be the No. 1 target for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
I like Smith the best of the bunch, and he should be considered a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver worth drafting as early as Round 4. Smith has the best rapport with Hurts, and he should lead the Eagles in targets in 2026.
But Lemon could challenge Smith for the top spot, and he has the chance to be the best rookie Fantasy receiver this year. In rookie-only drafts for dynasty leagues, Lemon should be considered a top-five overall pick. And he's worth drafting as early as Round 6 in redraft formats.
Q&A
Why did the Eagles trade up to select Makai Lemon in the NFL Draft?
The Eagles traded up to the 20th pick to secure Makai Lemon, who is viewed as a potential No. 1 receiver, likely to replace A.J. Brown.
What are the implications of A.J. Brown's expected trade for the Eagles?
A.J. Brown's expected trade after June 1 could reshape the Eagles' receiving corps and open up opportunities for Makai Lemon as the new primary target.
Which team is reportedly the front-runner to acquire A.J. Brown?
The New England Patriots are reportedly the front-runners to acquire A.J. Brown following his expected trade.
