The Philadelphia Eagles traded up to draft wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round on Thursday night. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson reacted to it with the A.J. Brown trade saga still hanging over the franchise.
Johnson is a veteran Eagles defensive back. Brown is Philadelphia’s Pro Bowl wide receiver who has been linked to trade rumors all offseason. Most expect a deal to happen after June 1, when the Eagles can spread his large salary cap number of two years.
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The Eagles moved up to pick No. 20, trading with the Dallas Cowboys, to select Lemon out of USC. Johnson tweeted:
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“This remind me of the Ben Simmons situation!” Johnson tweeted.
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Ben Simmons was the Philadelphia 76ers star who fell out with the team and forced his way out through a trade.
Eagles’ Howie Roseman stays quiet on A.J. Brown after selecting Makai Lemon
The Pittsburgh Steelers were already on the phone with Makai Lemon, ready to draft him, when the Eagles jumped in with their trade. Makai Lemon spoke to reporters after Round 1.
“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,” Lemon said.
Makai Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award in 2025, which goes to college football’s top receiver, and was a unanimous first-team All-American at USC. He joins a receiver room that already has DeVonta Smith.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman addressed Brown’s situation after the first round. His message was unchanged no trade has been made.
Edited by nagpaltusharn25