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Makai Lemon draft night turns into memorable Pennsylvania drama
TL;DR
USC's Makai Lemon experienced a dramatic NFL draft night as the Eagles traded up to select him at No. 20 while he was on the phone with the Steelers at No. 21. This unexpected turn of events left Lemon stunned as he learned of his selection.
Key points
- Makai Lemon was drafted by the Eagles at No. 20.
- He was on the phone with the Steelers when selected.
- The Eagles traded multiple picks to move up in the draft.
- Lemon joins a wide receiver group with big expectations.
- The Eagles are building around quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Mentioned in this story
A.J. BrownJalen Hurts
Makai LemonPhiladelphia EaglesPittsburgh SteelersDallas Cowboys
USC's Makai Lemon was part of a major drama on NFL draft night. Thursday's first round created a memorable plot twist, as Eagles Wire explains:
"In a wild draft night moment caught on video, the Eagles traded up with the Cowboys to No. 20 and selected USC wide receiver Makai Lemon while he was on the phone with the Steelers at No. 21—prompting a stunned reaction: "Why is Philly calling me?"
"After watching the top offensive tackles come off the board, the Eagles traded picks No. 23, 114 & 137 to Dallas for pick 20 and a 7th round pick. With the move, Philadelphia is all but assured of trading A.J. Brown and rolling with a group of wide receivers that includes DeVonta Smith, Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dontayvion Wicks, Johnny Wilson, and others."
We wrote before the draft that if Makai Lemon fell on the draft board -- as was the case -- the night could still be viewed as a success as long as the USC receiver landed in a great situation. The Steelers have had a lot of quarterback problems over the years and are starting fresh with a new head coach this season. The , on the other hand, have at quarterback, a new offensive coordinator, and a championship team with big expectations and a quality defense.
Q&A
What happened during Makai Lemon's draft night?
Makai Lemon was selected by the Eagles at No. 20 while he was on the phone with the Steelers, leading to a surprising moment captured on video.
Why did the Eagles trade up to select Makai Lemon?
The Eagles traded picks No. 23, 114, and 137 to the Cowboys to move up to No. 20, aiming to secure Lemon as part of their wide receiver group.
What are the implications of Lemon being drafted by the Eagles?
Lemon's selection indicates a shift in the Eagles' receiving corps, potentially signaling a trade of A.J. Brown as they build around quarterback Jalen Hurts.