After the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys traded draft picks in a 2026 NFL Draft night trade on Thursday night, the Eagles selected USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at the No. 20 position.
With this pick, a number of people believe that Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown might be moving to another team.
Eagles’ Makai Lemon Pick Brings Flood of Reactions
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter posted on X that he believes that the Eagles positioned themselves for Brown’s departure.
Schefter posted on X, “By trading up to draft USC WR Makai Lemon, the Eagles land more insurance for June’s expected AJ Brown trade to New England.”
By trading up to draft USC WR Makai Lemon, the Eagles land more insurance for June’s expected AJ Brown trade to New England. https://t.co/z7iKPAnG4Q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2026
After Schefter posted about the Eagles-Cowboys trade, PFSN posted on X: “Makai Lemon is a certified playmaker”.
Makai Lemon is a certified playmaker 🦅 pic.twitter.com/4BFn9fktUF
— PFSN (@PFSN365) April 24, 2026
Warren Sharp, who provides predictive NFL analytics and visualized data, shared an image on X and some thoughts on what happened between the Eagles and Cowboys. Sharp posted on X, “Eagles trading with the Cowboys”.
Eagles trading with the Cowboys https://t.co/l0CNByDjJP pic.twitter.com/8UtsBI57cS
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 24, 2026
Ari Meirov, who covers the NFL for The 33rd Team, shared details about the Eagles’ selection of Lemon. Meirov posted on X, “The Eagles at No. 20 are selecting USC WR Makai Lemon. Yep, A.J. Brown is more than likely gone.”
Carlos A. Lopez, who writes about the New England Patriots for SleeperHQ, believes that A.J. Brown will be moving on to the Patriots. Lopez posted on X, “The Eagles just traded up and took Makai Lemon … A.J. Brown, welcome to the Patriots!”
The Eagles just traded up and took Makai Lemon 👀👀👀
AJ Brown, welcome to the #Patriots!
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 24, 2026
Tony Tsoukalas, who covers UAB and Alabama football, also thinks Brown will be moving on to New England. Tsoukalas posted on X, “AJ Brown. You are a Patriot”.
AJ Brown. You are a Patriot https://t.co/LJlnxMWobV
— Tony Tsoukalas (@Tony_Tsoukalas) April 24, 2026
Sam Block of ESPN also shared some thoughts on the deal and Brown’s potential future NFL home. Block posted on X, “Makai Lemon. DeVonta Smith. Hollywood Brown. Elijah Moore. Dontayvion Wicks. A.J. Brown might soon be a Patriot.”
Makai Lemon.
DeVonta Smith.
Hollywood Brown.
Elijah Moore.
Dontayvion Wicks.AJ Brown might soon be a Patriot.
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) April 24, 2026
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III also falls into a group of people that believes Brown’s days with the Eagles are now over. Griffin posted on X, “A.J. Brown is 100% gone from Philly”.
AJ Brown is 100% gone from Philly
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 24, 2026
ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller had some high praise for what the Eagles did on Thursday night. Miller posted on X, “GREAT pick by the Eagles. Also, happy trails, A.J. Brown.”
Sports commentator Skip Bayless had some thoughts on what Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had up his sleeve on draft night:
I KNEW IT: HOWIE ROSEMAN GOT MY GUY MAKAI LEMON AT 20. BALLER. GREAT HANDS. ATTACKS DEFENSES AND THE FOOTBALL. WINS EVERY CONTESTED CATCH. EAGLES GOT A FOOTBALL PLAYER … AND NOW IT’S VIRTUALLY CERTAIN AJ BROWN IS GONE.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 24, 2026
“I like this in the short term as a little bit of a boost to help get that Eagles offense back on track and get them over the hump as they’re competing for a Super Bowl again,” PFSN Director of Media Partnerships Jacob Infante, who is part of the Football Debate Club, said on Thursday night.
The Eagles’ draft pick received an A+ grade from the PFSN 2026 NFL Draft HQ. Entering the draft, Lemon had a grade of 89.2. The Football Debate Club is talking about the latest draft picks and offering their opinions on them right now on YouTube.
“Makai Lemon managed to force his way into the WR1 discussion alongside Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson with an incredible 2025 campaign,” according to PFSN draft analysis.
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“He entered his junior year at USC as the Trojans’ leading receiver after a standout first season as a starter, posting 52 catches for 764 yards and three touchdowns in 2024,” the analysis continued. “He followed that up with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, as well as a top-five national PFSN WR Impact grade of 85.1.”
