Some analysts had anticipated that Makai Lemon, the USC wide receiver, would be chosen among the top 15 in the NFL Draft. Instead, he will be heading east after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 20th overall pick.
The 21-year-old, originally from Southern California, might take over the position of Eagles receiver AJ Brown, who has recently been linked to trade rumors.
The Eagles made a strategic move to secure Lemon, trading the 20th pick along with a seventh-round pick. In exchange, they handed over the 23rd, 114th, and 137th picks to the Cowboys.
This will mark Lemon’s first experience wearing an Eagles uniform outside of Southern California.
Born in Los Alamitos, California, Lemon previously won a national Pop Warner championship alongside Syracuse quarterback Malachi Nelson. He was also named an Under Armor All-American and was regarded as a five-star recruit, ranking as the 13th best player in the country by ESPN.
Initially, Lemon started at the University of Oklahoma, but he transferred to USC when Lincoln Riley, his former coach, took the same position there.
During the last season, Lemon shined with the Trojans, finishing with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning the 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver.
The Eagles’ pick of Lemon suggests they might indeed be planning to trade their star receiver Brown, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Reports indicate the Eagles are contemplating a trade with the New England Patriots before June 1, coinciding with a period when Brown’s $40 million salary cap impact could be spread out over the next two seasons.
