The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly committed one of the most embarrassing draft stories in recent memory, losing out on one of the top 2026 wide receiver prospects while on the phone with him.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Steelers were preparing to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 21st overall pick, unaware that the Philadelphia Eagles had traded up with the Dallas Cowboys for the No. 20 pick to select Lemon. The Eagles were reportedly trying to get ahold of Lemon, but he wasn’t answering because he was on the phone with the Steelers.
From the NFL Draft: A wild story, as the #Eagles trade up for Makai Lemon... while he was on the phone with the #Steelers. pic.twitter.com/r1R6pQnFgi
As Steelers fans are painfully aware, the Eagles wound up drafting Lemon at No. 20, and the Steelers were forced to reach on inexperienced yet promising offensive tackle Max Iheanachor of Arizona State.
With major health concerns surrounding left tackle Broderick Jones, the Steelers managed to still address an important positional need with pick No. 21, but the Eagles walked away with a much more talented prospect, leaving Pittsburgh embarrassed on their home turf on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers suffer embarrassing NFL Draft moment with WR Makai Lemon