Philadelphia Eagles Trade with Dallas Cowboys, Select Wide Receiver in Thursday Night Deal

The Philadelphia Eagles traded with their divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, on Thursday night to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Eagles sent the Cowboys their original No. 23 pick, along with two fourth-round selections (Nos. 114 and 137), in exchange for the No. 20 pick and a 2027 seventh-round choice. Dallas used the 23rd pick to select UCF pass rusher Malachi Lawrence.

Lemon, a unanimous first-team All-American and Biletnikoff Award winner in 2025, recorded 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games for USC. He ran an unofficial 4.46-second 40-yard dash at his pro day and is listed at 5-foot-11.

Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman praised Lemon’s skill set, noting his ability to separate in man coverage, play both inside and outside, and make plays with the ball in his hands. “There’s a lot to like about him,” Roseman said. “Competitor. Has the ability to separate in man coverage, out of the slot, he can play outside. Physical player. Really good with the ball in his hands. Really good hands. Good in zone coverage, has really good instincts.”

Head coach Nick Sirianni echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Lemon’s readiness to contribute immediately. “Just his ability to separate…” Sirianni added, highlighting the receiver’s route-running and ball skills as assets for the Eagles’ offense.

The selection comes amid ongoing speculation about the future of Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, who has expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s offense and has been linked to trade rumors. Eagles insiders indicated the organization is operating under the assumption that Brown will not be on the roster next season.

Despite already possessing a strong receiving corps featuring Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Marquise Brown, Philadelphia’s move to draft Lemon underscores their commitment to bolstering depth and talent at the position. The Eagles previously acquired Wicks via trade with the Green Bay Packers and signed Marquise Brown in free agency.

Lemon becomes the latest addition to an Eagles receiving group that general manager Roseman described as fortified by the rookie’s arrival, particularly alongside established producers like Smith, a former first-round pick.