Why Eagles' Makai Lemon move was the perfect Howie Roseman pick

Why Eagles' Makai Lemon move was the perfect Howie Roseman pick originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>We love the NFL Draft because of its unpredictability. The trades, the reaches, the mid-evening shakeups, it's all part of the fun.

>And yet, we can count on certain teams acting the same as they do basically every year. The New Orleans Saints never trade down, the Houston Texans reached for an offensive lineman, and the Seattle Seahawks were -- above anything else -- weird.

>It's clockwork. And right on schedule, the Philadelphia Eagles made the same type of move they always make.

Howie Roseman adds Makai Lemon in Round 1The Eagles began their evening with the 23rd pick. On the winding path through Round 1, they ended with the 20th pick via the Dallas Cowboys, trading Nos. 23,114, and 137 for that selection and a seventh-rounder.

>After moving up, Philadelphia drafted USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon.

>This wasn't the first time general manager Howie Roseman has called on a divisional foe for a draft-day swap. This time, fans around the league sighed at the realization of what this move meant.

>Once again, the Eagles drafted the top player available, taking advantage of a talent falling further than their talent suggests, capitalizing on the hesitation of their peers.

>We can save the A.J. Brown conversations for later. Regardless of whether Brown is destined to be traded, this move had Lemon written all over it.

>MORE: How the Eagles stole Makai Lemon from the Steelers

>Throughout his tenure as general manager, Roseman's first-round record has been remarkably consistent. It is almost entirely players at high-value positions who fall past their consensus board ranking.

>Roseman is happy to be aggressive, even if it means giving Dallas more ammo. In doing so, he helped insulate the passing offense. Jalen Hurts' struggles over the middle of the field may be mitigated by a high-level slot receiver, and if Brown is moved, there's reason to believe that Lemon's skill set can translate to the boundary.

>Even as a luxury pick, Lemon raises the ceiling and floor of Philadelphia's offense, and helps pry open the competitive window that is shrinking after last season.

>It seems like good organizations find falling talents more often. The Kansas City Chiefs landed Peter Woods, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found Rueben Bain Jr. The Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Quinyon Mitchell -- each of whom was seen as a steal at their respective slots.

>Prospects fall for different reasons. Lemon may have maturity issues. He may have been typecast as a slot receiver. For Philadelphia, it didn't matter. A good athlete at a meaningful position was atop their board and within striking distance.

>Roseman was always going to make that move, and regardless of how well Lemon pans out, it's that kind of process that has landed the Eagles in consistent contention.

More Eagles newsWhat Makai Lemon move means for A.J. Brown • >Last time these two teams traded, they both got a star • >Why did the Cowboys trade with their rival? • >Tracking every pick Philadelphia makes in the 2026 NFL Draft