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NFL
NFL Draft: Steelers were on the phone with top WR before Eagles stole him
TL;DR
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost out on top WR prospect Makai Lemon during the 2026 NFL Draft while on the phone with him, as the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select him at No. 20. The Steelers then had to draft offensive tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21.
Key points
- Steelers were on the phone with Makai Lemon during the draft
- Eagles traded up to select Lemon at No. 20
- Steelers drafted Max Iheanachor at No. 21
Pittsburgh SteelersPhiladelphia EaglesDallas CowboysMakai Lemon
The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly committed one of the most embarrassing draft stories in recent memory, losing out on one of the top 2026 wide receiver prospects while on the phone with him.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Steelers were preparing to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 21st overall pick, unaware that the Philadelphia Eagles had traded up with the Dallas Cowboys for the No. 20 pick to select Lemon. The Eagles were reportedly trying to get ahold of Lemon, but he wasn’t answering because he was on the phone with the Steelers.
As Steelers fans are painfully aware, the Eagles wound up drafting Lemon at No. 20, and the Steelers were forced to reach on inexperienced yet promising offensive tackle Max Iheanachor of Arizona State.
With major health concerns surrounding left tackle Broderick Jones, the Steelers managed to still address an important positional need with pick No. 21, but the Eagles walked away with a much more talented prospect, leaving Pittsburgh embarrassed on their home turf on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Q&A
Why did the Steelers miss out on Makai Lemon during the NFL Draft?
The Steelers were on the phone with Makai Lemon while the Eagles traded up to select him at No. 20, resulting in Pittsburgh losing the chance to draft him.
What pick did the Eagles use to draft Makai Lemon?
The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick after trading up with the Dallas Cowboys.
Who did the Steelers draft instead of Makai Lemon?
The Steelers drafted offensive tackle Max Iheanachor from Arizona State with the 21st overall pick after missing out on Lemon.
