The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted their own robbery at the 2026 NFL Draft.
With the event being held in Pittsburgh for the first time on Thursday, the home team entered the first round with the No. 21 pick and plenty of needs to fill after going 10-7 last year. Then the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to No. 20 and selected their intended target, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
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We know Lemon was Pittsburgh’s target because NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported soon after that the Steelers were on the phone with Lemon telling him they were preparing to draft him when the Eagles executed their trade with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Eagles actually had trouble getting Lemon on the phone because he was busy talking to the Steelers.
The Steelers recovered by drafting Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor with much fanfare, including a video message from Styx and an obligate playing of the team’s “Renegade” anthem.
Lemon confirmed the story while speaking with reporters after the first round, 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. I guess it was meant to be. I’m super excited to be in Philly.”
This stuff probably happens more than you think. In fact, there’s even precedent for the Eagles swiping a prized player from the team hosting the draft. That’s how they got tight end Dallas Goedert, a 2018 second-round pick who was selected immediately before the tight end-needy Dallas Cowboys in Dallas.
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You might remember former Eagles kicker David Akers having some fun with that.
The Eagles certainly had reason to want Lemon, as trade rumors have swirled around Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown. Lemon’s game as a pass catcher is quite a bit different from Brown’s, but it seems like a good time to load up on talent there.
Lemon is coming off a junior season at USC in which he earned unanimous first-team All-America honors and won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver. His route running and ball skills stand out in this draft class, though his 5-foot-11 frame is somewhat concerning.
Yahoo Sports ranked him as the No. 37 prospect in this year’s class.
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