The Eagles didn’t buy — uh, draft — a lemon.

Philly made one of the draft’s shocking moves when they traded up with Dallas to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon at No. 20 instead of No. 23. Lemon was designated to be the Steelers’ choice at No. 21.

It was another brilliant draft move by GM Howie Roseman, and he made several others as well. Lemon’s selection can also indicate that Roseman is building his club for the present as well as the future. The Birds’ savvy GM definitely filled some obvious needs in the first three rounds of the draft.

On paper, it looks like Roseman hit another home run with his early premier picks, keeping the Birds in the NFC East that appears to be getting tighter.

Lemon’s Pledge ... At 5-11, 195, Lemon is not in the same mold as 6-2, 226-pound A.J. Brown, but is similar to the 6-0, 170-pound DeVonta Smith.

Lemon’s speed in the 40 wasn’t spectacular, but he is viewed more as a technical receiver, strong route runner, and also a warrior despite his size.

Last season at USC, Lemon caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards with 11 touchdowns and a 13.2 yards per catch average. He received the Fred Biletnikoff award, and that may truly represent what kind of receiver he can be in the pros.

It was a significant jump overall from the previous season (52, 764, 3, 14.7), but the 21-year-old Lemon is a true junior.

To Trade or Not to Trade ... With Lemon, it seems apparent that A.J. Brown will be dealt after June 1 to save a bigger cap hit. Earlier the subject of a potential trade to the Rams, it’s no a secret that Brown has been targeted by the Patriots.

If Brown is dealt there, Roseman will have to be at his best in this deal because of its long-standing rumor. How can Roseman receive anything worthwhile for Brown?

Don’t be surprised if Brown is dealt somewhere else besides New England. It will also be a surprise if Brown stays with the Birds, especially with the recent additions of Lemon, Dontavyion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore and incumbent Smith.

A Greener Way ... Along with Lemon, Roseman sent some shock waves when he acquired Vikings’ edge rusher Jonathan Greenard for two third-round picks, one this year and another next year.

In addition, Roseman signed Greenard to a four-year, $100 million extension that included $50 million guaranteed. He is often mentioned in the same breath as Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby and T. J. Watt. Philly had inquired about both Garrett and Crosby in the past.

Greenard, who has 38 sacks over six years, should elevate the Birds’ line play with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis along the front. He’ll also join the edge rush crew of Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Arnold Ebikete and Moro Ojomo.

The Birds were looking to fill the hole left by both Jaelean Phillips and Nakobe Dean, who left in free agency. He is Roseman’s other significant offseason pickup, along with cornerback Riq Wooten from Seattle.

Ring a New Bell ... Heading into the draft, the Eagles were presumed to select an offensive tackle in the hopes of replacing 36-year-old Lane Johnson. Well, they did two rounds later.

In keeping with their mammoth linemen, the Birds selected mountainous 6-9, 346-pound Miami tackle Markel Bell, who didn’t allow a sack last season.

Bell played left tackle last season, and was considered by many to be a third-round pick at best. In some circles, Bell is viewed as a project, and likely won’t be able to slide into a spot at the start of the season.

Tightening It Up ... Tight end Dallas Goedert’s future with the Eagles appeared to be in jeopardy before he signed a one-year, $7 million deal in March. The Birds’ tight end room is crowded with Goedert and Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu, Johnny Mundt, Stone Smart and Jaheim Bell.

Yet, Roseman reached out and grabbed Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers in the second round. Stowers set records in both the broad jump (11-7) and vertical jump (45-5) at the NFL Combine.

The 6-3, 239-pound Stowers caught 62 passes for 769 yards with four touchdowns last season, and is a seasoned tight end with five seasons under him with other stops at Texas A&M and New Mexico State. He was a primary target at Vanderbilt, and easily could slide into the rotation with a solid training camp.

Ironically, Goedert and former Eagle Zack Ertz — who is a free agent — were both drafted in the second round.

Other Stops ... If you’re a Jets or Giants fan, you had to be pleased with their opening drafts, as the Jets and Giants both landed possible game-changing edge rushers in David Bailey and Arvel Reese, respectively.

The Jets could have a real find in Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who can be considered a hybrid with his speed. The Giants added massive lineman Francis Mauigoa, considered the top lineman in the draft, but he has dealt with a herniated disc issue.

With John Harbaugh in charge, the Giants are already seen as a viable NFC East contender, and keep an eye on Dallas. The Cowboys did a makeover, and did well in the draft with safety Caleb Downs, defensive tackle Jaishawn Barham, and Penn State offensive lineman Drew Shelton.

Irish Eyes Are Smiling ... As expected, Notre Dame’s Jeremyah Love went within the first five picks of the draft, becoming Arizona’s running back centerpiece. He was expected to be picked by either Tennessee or the Giants, but went a pick sooner.

Aside from Love, backfield mate Jadarian Price was selected by Seattle, and could be a steal playing there. Wide receiver Malachi Fields should see time with the Giants, while tight end Eli Raridon landed in New England.

It was the ninth straight year the Irish had a tight end drafted.

Allar-In? ... The Steelers ruffled some feathers among their faithful and the football world when they drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round.

Projected as a high pick before last season, Allar went down for the season after six games last year, throwing for 1,100 yards with eight touchdowns, three interceptions and a 64.8 completion rate. At PSU, Allar threw for 7,402 yards with 61 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 63.2 competition rate.

Allar will join a crowded quarterback room with veteran Mason Rudolph and former Ohio State signal caller Will Howard, who wasn’t activated until November last year in his rookie season. Allar’s playing time will depend on whether 43-year-old Aaron Rodgers comes back.

At 6-5, 235, Allar has drawn comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger with his size. Allar could be a sleeper pick, and will certainly draw attention with his PSU roots.

Allar is the first Penn State quarterback to ever be selected by the Steelers in the NFL Draft. He could join Jaquan Brisker, Pat Freiermuth, Daequan Hardy and Porter as former Nittany Lions on the Steelers roster.

UFL is UFL ... Is anyone watching the United Football League? Unlike the USFL, and even the WFL, the league can be an UFL — unwatchable football league — due to its lack of known star power.

Well, according to their recent ratings, apparently people are watching.

The 2026 season started with a strong opening week, gaining an estimated 18% viewership increase over the previous year. Top games reached over one million viewers, and a number of games have drawn between 466,000 and 938,000 on ESPN and FOX. The 2025 season averaged 645,000 viewers, down 20 percent from its initial 2024 launch.

Deja vu? ... Ironically, the Eagles selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton in the fifth round. Who was the last Eagles quarterback from that college? It was second-overall pick Carson Wentz in 2016.

Scrapbook ... In each column, I will look back at the career of a former local standout on the gridiron.

Joseph William Carazo was an elite athlete at Palmerton, where he lettered in football, basketball, track and baseball. Carazo was an all-Lehigh Valley League honorable mention selection in 1958, and an all-conference choice in 1960.

He continued his career at Wake Forest and was a first-team all-ACC defensive back and an honorable mention All-American choice. He played in the North-South Shrine game and was honored in “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.”

Carazo signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent in 1966, but was forced to retire after one season because of a knee injury.

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