Steelers' call to Makai Lemon apparently ran afoul of the rules

On Thursday night, the Steelers had USC receiver Makai Lemon on the phone before the Steelers were on the clock. It could put them on the radar screen of 345 Park Avenue.

Jake Rosenberg, long-time Eagles executive who left the organization two years ago, has made this observation on Twitter: "Clubs that are not 'on the clock' may have discussions with the representative of one or more draft-eligible players not yet selected (or discussion with the players themselves) regarding the player's interest in playing in the League, playing with a particular club or type of club, the player's health, or other such non-financial matters, so long as these discussions do not interfere with discussions between a player and the club that is 'on the clock.'"

A source currently working for a team not involved in the situation tells PFT that this is indeed the rule.

NFL Network televised the video of Lemon talking to the Steelers while the Eagles were trying to reach him. Beyond making the Steelers look foolish, the video may get the Steelers in hot water.

It's probably not something the league will care about. With the first round trimmed to eight minutes, there will be periodic complications. Ultimately, it didn't keep the Eagles from getting Lemon. And the embarrassment may be punishment enough for the team that is hosting the draft.