Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Eagles trade up, give Cowboys three picks for Lemon

4/25/2026

25 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Eagles Trade Up

The Eagles selected USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the No. 20 pick after trading up with Dallas Cowboys, sending the Cowboys the No. 23 pick, No. 114, No. 137, and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Lemon was on a call with Steelers GM Omar Khan when the Steelers selected Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21.
Roseman said the trade cost fourth-rounds but was needed for Lemon and may signal a move on A.J. Brown.

Summary

Eagles Secure Makai

The Eagles’ official Makai Lemon jersey is now for sale on Fanatics.
Makai Lemon’s rookie contract will follow the NFL’s standard wage scale for first-round picks.
The draft-day trade gave Philadelphia a 2027 seventh-round pick in addition to the No. 20 selection.
This move marks the sixth time in eight years General Manager Howie Roseman has traded up in first round.
The league typically releases the 2026 NFL schedule in mid-May.

History

Historical Context

After Andy Reid’s 1999 hiring, Philadelphia turned a 3-13 season into a rebuild by trading up to select quarterback Donovan McNabb with the No. 2 overall pick—an early sign of the franchise’s willingness to sacrifice picks. That approach reappeared in 2024 when the Eagles added wide receiver Makai Lemon, extending a decades-long strategy of leveraging draft capital for impact players.

1 of 3

Eagles Trade Up

The Eagles selected USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the No. 20 pick after trading up with Dallas Cowboys, sending the Cowboys the No. 23 pick, No. 114, No. 137, and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Lemon was on a call with Steelers GM Omar Khan when the Steelers selected Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor at No. 21.
Roseman said the trade cost fourth-rounds but was needed for Lemon and may signal a move on A.J. Brown.

1 / 3