An intra-divisional trade is upon us. The Cowboys have dealt No. 20 to the Eagles. In exchange, Dallas will collect Nos. 23, 114 and 137 from Philadelphia, which is adding a seventh-rounder in this trade (per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo).
Dallas’ pick going to Philly is in the 2027 draft. The Eagles chose USC wide receiver Makai Lemon 20th overall. Lemon was one of the Eagles’ 15 highest-graded prospects, per The Athletic’s Zach Berman, who reports they did not expect him to slip beyond then. They swooped in before the NFL’s other Pennsylvania-based franchise, the Steelers, could grab him at No. 21. Lemon expected to go to Pittsburgh (via Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press)
“Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me and then the Eagles called at the same time,” Lemon said. “I guess it was meant to be. I’m super excited to be in Philly.”
The Eagles’ addition of Lemon will throw even more gasoline on the fire in regards to a potential A.J. Brown trade. Along with making a first-round investment in Lemon, the Eagles signed Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency. They also traded a 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 sixth-rounder to the Packers for Dontayvion Wicks, whom they immediately extended on a one-year, $12.5MM agreement. Moore is not a lock to carve out much of a role or even make the team, but Lemon, A.J. Brown, Wicks, Marquise Brown and DeVonta Smith make up a crowded, high-profile receiver room. There are now a lot of mouths to feed in Philadelphia.
For financial reasons, the Eagles are likely to wait until June 2 to trade A.J. Brown. New England is the probable landing spot, though the teams have not seen eye to eye on compensation yet. For now, general manager Howie Roseman continues to insist the three-time Pro Bowler is part of the Eagles’ plans.
“For us, A.J. is a member of the Eagles,” Roseman said (via Berman). “We don’t have any trades that have been made or that done. And I think for us, you know, we’re taking this one day at a time.”
Of course, it should be noted that the 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon and Brown (6-1, 226) are much different players. Lemon lined up in the slot over 75% of the time at USC, whereas Brown operates on the outside.
After a quiet first college season in 2023, quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last with the Trojans, Lemon broke out the next year. Over 12 games as a sophomore, he hauled in 52 passes for 754 yards and three touchdowns. Lemon saved his best for last in 2025, capping off his Trojans tenure with 79 receptions, 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in another dozen-game campaign. The 21-year-old won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in the nation. After dropping just four passes at USC, Lemon should give Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts a sure-handed target with star potential.
Aj brown out the door June 1st
I came here to say the same thing. Now it’s definite, and now the Pats don’t need to give them a 1, because there’s no chance Philly is hanging onto Brown now.
This is what makes no sense. A handshake deal in 6 weeks? Dumb dumb dumb dumb
Idk about a hand shake deal
But waiting until June 1st lets the eagles split his cap hit across 2026 and 2027 saving them 27 mill against the cap this year
Pre June 1st they’re hit with a 43 mill cap hit
Post June 1st they’re hit with a 16 mill cap hit
I don’t think there’s a handshake deal. I think this moves some leverage to the Patriots in their negotiations.
Idiotic comment.
I never imagined Lemon would still be available. Thrilled with this pick
Congrats bro this just means AJ a lost June 1 release. Smitty Lemon wicks and brown plus Barkley and tank a solid offense
Not a good pick. Zero leverage for a trade now but more important Lomu would have been a better choice. A whole new offense predicated on talented mobile OL, and 4 of your OL can’t move, a WR room bursting at the seams with lottery tickets but already has a No.1, and instead of the heir apparent at the more needy OT position with an OT that fits, the pick is…Wr. This is the old, former bad Howie.
(Anyone believe they actually moved up for Freeling and got screwed so they now have to sell Lemon as the targeted guy all along?)
Who was that guy who said he’d buy a case of beer for everyone here if they did something so stupid as pick WR? I’d hate to be that guy.
You know nothing.
I can guarantee that the trade compensation for AJ Brown has already been agreed to. In fact, the trade with the Patriots was probably conditioned on the Eagles getting a first round WR in the draft. The only reason the trade isn’t official is because the Eagles want to make it after June 1st so they can spread out Brown’s cap hit.
I can guarantee unless the bogus patriots kick that first round pick in, Brown will be heading somewhere else.
What do you mean no leverage – Pats are desperate and now there is some bubbling of tampering by the Pats, so lots of leverage. Hey Pats do not want a tampering investigation tack on a 2nd
Pats gained leverage with this pick, because now the Eagles *almost* have to unload Brown.
You can never have enough offensive weapons.
Shocked. AJ done for lol
Gross. I’m disgusted. A freaking slot WR. Jalen reagor Freddie Mitchell all over again. Perfectly good edge DL sitting there.
Top wr in the draft imo and roster upgrade. Mute yourself.
Thought the same thing, Reagor 2.0
Not good
As in Take a frigging offensive lineman and move on.
Thought DAL could’ve squeezed out a bit more with an intra-division trade. Should’ve gotten 23, 98 & 137 for 20 & 152
Curious what happens if Vrabel decides to step down and fix the mess he’s gotten himself into and NE backs out of the trade? It could be Vrabel is the only one pushing hard for Brown in NE and with him gone they pivot. Eagles could be stuck with a gentleman’s agreement on a trade that becomes worthless and leaves them in a bad spot.
Going to be interesting to see what the Pats give up for Brown.
Brown could be traded anywhere. There’s no law that says it must be to New England.
Not gonna lie, kuddos to the Eagles for helping the Philadelphia area really stick it to us Pittsburgh sports fans this week! Flyers and Eagles with an assist from the Cowboys.