Eagles trade up to draft USC WR Makai Lemon amid AJ Brown trade rumors

Eagles add Lemon as Brown departure nears.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Apr 241 min read

Eagles add Lemon as Brown departure nears. Video via @rapsheet on X

What happened: The Philadelphia Eagles traded up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. The move comes as reports indicate AJ Brown is likely to be traded to another team. Details on the trade-up cost are emerging from league sources.

Why it matters: Lemon bolsters the Eagles' receiving corps potentially replacing Brown, whose contract and production have sparked trade talks. This reshapes Philadelphia's offense under new coordinator strategies amid cap constraints.

By the numbers: Draft: Eagles send No. 22, No. 91 to Vikings for No. 14 (Lemon). Lemon 2025 stats: 88 rec, 1,421 yds, 12 TD. Brown 2025: 72 rec, 1,053 yds, 7 TD. Eagles cap hit Brown: $28M.

What to watch: Monitor AJ Brown's landing spot and compensation; Eagles' Day 2 picks for further WR/OL help.

Sources

@RapSheet 2026-04-24T02:02:42.176196+00:00

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NFLTradeEaglesVikingsUSCMakai LemonAJ Brown

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