Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine detailed why tight end Kenyon Sadiq was the dream first-round 2026 NFL Draft pick for the Philadelphia Eagles. In his newest NFL mock draft, though, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter slotted Sadiq to the Carolina Panthers at No. 19 overall.
The Eagles, though, hardly walked away with a consolation prize in Reuter’s mock. At No. 23 overall, Reuter projected the Eagles to get USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
“Regardless of whether or not A.J. Brown stays in Philadelphia, the Eagles must fortify their receiver room,” Reuter wrote. “Lemon fits nicely in the slot and can flip spots with DeVonta Smith to give defenses different looks.”
Then during the second round, Reuter slotted Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to Philadelphia at No. 54 overall.
According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., both Lemon and McNeil-Warren are top 3 prospects in the 2026 class at their respective positions.
Landing either one without a top 20 pick would be a steal. Getting both might go down in history as one of the top draft robberies ever in the NFL Draft.
Eagles Select WR Makai Lemon in 2026 NFL Mock Draft
According to the NFL mock draft database, Lemon has an overall rank of No. 13 and consensus mock ranking of No. 11 overall.
That means he would have to drop roughly 10 spots to land with the Eagles at No. 23 overall.
Considering the Eagles often draft talent over need, if Lemon is on the board when they pick at No. 23 overall, it’s a strong bet that they will take him. Receiver might turn into a need anyway if the team elected to trade former All-Pro A.J. Brown.
After ranking him at No. 12 overall in the class, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah called Lemon one of his favorite players in the draft.
“He is a wideout with a running back’s body and a linebacker’s temperament. Lemon is at his best working in the slot,” Jeremiah wrote. “He was a craftsman in that game and couldn’t be covered (10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown). He is ultra-competitive after the catch, breaking tackles and fighting for yards.
“Overall, Lemon is going to draw a lot of comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and they are warranted.”
Philadelphia Projected to Also Land Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Putting aside whatever happens in the first round, if general manager Howie Roseman land McNeil-Warren at No. 54 overall, pundits might call it one the biggest steal of the entire draft.
Jeremiah ranked the Toledo safety at No. 16 overall on his latest 2026 big board.
“McNeil-Warren is a tall, long safety prospect with fantastic production,” Jeremiah wrote. “Overall, McNeil-Warren is a bouncy, twitchy athlete with Pro Bowl potential.”
The NFL mock draft database rated McNeil-Warren a top 30 prospect.
In 13 games last season, McNeil-Warren posted 77 combined tackles, including 5.5 for loss. He also had five pass defenses, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
In 2026 NFL free agency, the Eagles lost starting safety Reed Blankenship. He joined the Houston Texans on a 3-year, $24.75 million contract.
Also at safety, the Eagles traded veteran Sydney Brown to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Eagles signed Marcus Epps and J.T. Gray to replace those two safeties. But McNeil-Warren could be ready to challenge those two veterans for playing time immediately this fall.
Eagles Predicted to Get 2 Steals in 2026 NFL Draft to Fill Weaknesses