Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman explained the team's decision to trade up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roseman shared the behind-the-scenes details during an interview on Mad Dog Sports Radio. He emphasized the Eagles' strong conviction about Lemon.
Howie Roseman, the Eagles' general manager, revealed that the team aimed to move ahead of the Steelers' No. 21 pick, not just the 20th selection. Speaking with Adam Schein on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Roseman said, “If we’re being totally transparent, it wasn’t like we were just trying to get to 20. We were trying to get ahead of that pick as well.” He added that the Eagles felt strongly about Lemon and anticipated interest from other teams, including Pittsburgh. “Certainly, they were one of the teams that we thought would be in the mix,” Roseman noted. “More importantly for us than who anyone else wants, it’s who we want and who we wanna go get.” The Steelers entered the draft with a league-high 12 picks, including five in the top 100. They had reportedly considered trading to No. 15 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that fell through when Reuben Bain was selected earlier than expected. At No. 21, Pittsburgh opted for offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, with Lemon ranked higher on their board. Roseman's comments highlight the competitive nature of draft-day maneuvers. The Eagles successfully outmaneuvered rivals to secure their target, leaving Steelers fans disappointed.
