Lemon was on the phone with Pittsburgh when Philly swooped in

📋 The Backstory

Wide receiver Makai Lemon had every reason to expect he was headed to Pittsburgh — the Steelers were actively on the phone with him, prepared to use the No. 21 overall pick to take him in the NFL Draft.

---

✅ What Actually Happened

While that call was still in progress, the Philadelphia Eagles executed a trade to move up to No. 20 — one spot ahead of Pittsburgh — and selected Lemon before the Steelers ever had the chance.

The result: Lemon learned, in real time and mid-conversation with Pittsburgh's front office, that his NFL destination had just changed.

---

📅 Where Things Stand

• Lemon is now an Eagle, drafted 20th overall
• The Steelers had intended to take him at No. 21 but were beaten to the punch by one position
• Philadelphia's willingness to trade up underscored how highly the organization valued the wide receiver