PHILADELPHIA — The 2026 NFL draft has begun in Pittsburgh. The three-day event continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET) and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).
The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to pick No. 20 in the first round.
A full list of the Eagles’ selections is below, in addition to positional needs.
Round 1, No. 20 overall: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
My take: The Eagles moved up and made a major addition at receiver in advance of A.J. Brown‘s expected departure. The 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner as the nation’s top receiver, Lemon posted 150-plus receiving yards in four games this past season — the most by a USC player since Drake London in 2021. He emerged as one of the nation’s top slot targets, posting 1,281 yards from there since 2024.
Will he start as a rookie?: That seems like the most likely scenario. The cupboard certainly wasn’t bare before this pick — the Eagles acquired Dontayvion Wicks from the Packers and signed Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore to one-year deals this offseason to pair with DeVonta Smith — but Lemon projects as an immediate impact player who should be on the field early and often.
What we’re hearing about Lemon: “He is as good as I’ve seen,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said after Lemon went for 153 yards and a touchdown on 10 catches against his team. “Going back 20-plus years, I don’t know if anybody’s impacted the game more.” Lemon was not supposed to drop this far. According to ESPN Analytics’ draft predictor, there was a 4% chance he would be available at pick 20.
What’s next: The Eagles need to address their offensive line before long. The front was a vulnerability for Philadelphia for the first time in a long time last season. With RT Lane Johnson and LG Landon Dickerson recently pondering retirement, there is urgency to add to the group. They hold a second-rounder (54 overall) and two third-round picks (Nos. 68 and 98) on Day 2.
Round 2: No. 54
Round 3: No. 68
Round 3: No. 98
Round 4: No. 114
Round 4: No. 137
Round 5: No. 178
Round 6: No. 197
