Makai Lemon

Makai Lemon News

Makai Lemon Set for Major Role in Debut Season?

When the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, it was clear they were planning for life without three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. With the trade of Brown to New England becoming official on Monday, the spotlight on Lemon grows notably brighter. In his four seasons with the Eagles, Brown never earned less than a 27.3% target share, twice topping the 30% mark, and his absence creates the opportunity for Lemon to immediately claim a meaningful role in Philadelphia's new-look offense. After spending the past two seasons in Green Bay, Sean Mannion steps in as the Eagles' fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons, creating a fresh slate for every pass catcher on the roster. While DeVonta Smith has become the focal point of Philadelphia's passing offense in a small sample of games played without Brown over the past two seasons, he's done so without another target-earner of Lemon's caliber on the roster. While some early-season growing pains are to be expected, Lemon has both the talent and opportunity to quickly establish himself as a legitimate 1B in Philadelphia, and he is RotoBaller's rookie WR3 and dynasty WR21.

Jun 2, 2026 6:00 AM EST

Makai Lemon Already Working With Starters in OTAs

Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon is already working with the starters during 7-on-7 drills at OTA practices, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com. It shouldn't exactly be a surprise after the Eagles traded up in the first round to take the former USC star with the 20th overall pick. The 21-year-old could immediately become Philly's WR2 behind DeVonta Smith in 2026, with the expectation that the Eagles will ship Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots at some point next week. Neither Brown nor Dontayvion Wicks is present for OTAs this week, which helps, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that Lemon is expected to be a big part of the Eagles' offensive reboot this year under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Lemon has an opportunity for a big role in Year 1, but he will most likely be overvalued in fantasy in an offense that still has talented tight end Dallas Goedert and star running back Saquon Barkley. Target Lemon as more of a WR4/flex in single-year fantasy leagues this fall.

May 27, 2026 6:23 PM EST

Makai Lemon Signs Four-Year Rookie Deal With Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon signed his four-year, fully guaranteed rookie contract on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. The Eagles traded up with the division-rival Dallas Cowboys to take Lemon at 20th overall and steal them away from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were reportedly ready to take Lemon at pick No. 21. The selection of Lemon only reinforces the expectation that the Eagles will trade Pro Bowl wideout A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots around June 1. Lemon, who stands at 5-foot-11 and 294 pounds, profiles as more of a slot receiver, but he could be moved around the offensive formation alongside DeVonta Smith. Lemon plays bigger than his size and has plenty of yards-after-the-catch potential in a Philly offense looking for a spark. As long as Brown ends up heading out of town, Lemon should have immediate value in single-year fantasy formats in 2026. In rookie-only keeper drafts this year, Lemon should be considered a top-five player.

Apr 30, 2026 11:39 AM EST

Where Will Makai Lemon Slot into Crowded Group of Philadelphia Pass Catchers?

When the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, they got a player who spent his final collegiate season as the unquestioned Alpha in Lincoln Riley's pass-heavy Trojans offense. In his Biletnikoff Award-winning season, Lemon earned a 26.8% target share, even while taking the field with another early NFL pick in Ja'Kobi Lane, who the Baltimore Ravens selected in the third round on Day 2. Moving to the next level, Lemon is unlikely to see that sort of opportunity as a rookie. The Eagles threw the ball at the sixth-lowest rate in the league in 2025 and were one of only nine teams with fewer than 500 total pass attempts. While the presumed trade of three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown will open up 127 targets from 2025, the Eagles have revamped their receiver room on the fly, adding Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks through free agency and trade, and after drafting Lemon on Day 1, they added the pass-catching tight end Eli Stowers in the second round. Incumbent receiver DeVonta Smith is still the safest bet to lead the team in targets in 2026, but Lemon represents his most significant competition both long-term and in the here and now. Given their complimentary skill sets, It's possible that Smith and Lemon could form a new one-two punch in Philadelphia, with the rest of the new additions settling into more periphery supporting roles, which would still make Lemon one of the most valuable selections in dynasty rookie drafts.

Apr 25, 2026 5:14 AM EST

Makai Lemon Was Nearly a Pittsburgh Steeler

Before the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to make USC prospect Makai Lemon the 20th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the 5'11", 192-pound slot receiver was nearly the selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. With the Cowboys believed to be on the clock ahead of them, the Steelers phoned Lemon to make their intentions known, but unbeknownst to either the team or the player, Philadelphia swapped picks with Dallas, moving up from their original spot at 23 by sending two fourth-round picks to their division rival. The last time the Eagles and Cowboys made a first-round draft trade, Philadelphia moved up to select wide receiver DeVonta Smith, with whom Lemon will now share the field. Fueling the expectation that Philadelphia will say goodbye to three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown after June 1st, the Eagles acquired Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks through free agency and trade, and they now add additional firepower through the draft with the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner. With Lemon off the board, Pittsburgh used the 21st pick on Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor.

Apr 24, 2026 5:13 AM EST

Eagles Trade Up to Take Receiver Makai Lemon at 20th Overall

The Philadelphia Eagles swung a trade with the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night to move up to the 20th overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. The Eagles already have DeVonta Smith and acquired Dontayvion Wicks this offseason, so the selection of Lemon in the first round is more writing on the wall that star pass-catcher A.J. Brown will be traded after June 1. The 21-year-old Lemon is considered one of the best wideouts in this year's class, and he should immediately have a chance to be the Eagles' WR2 behind Smith if Brown is traded. Lemon stands at 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds and figures to see most of his playing time from the slot in Philly. The Eagles will be hoping that the Biletnikoff Award winner will once again make their offense more dynamic after they struggled mightily to stay on the field in 2025. He's regarded as a plug-and-play slot man with impressive technical route-running polish. Lemon isn't the strongest or biggest wideout, but he should give quarterback Jalen Hurts an explosive and productive weapon through the air. In dynasty/keeper drafts, Lemon should be considered a top-five pick.

Apr 23, 2026 6:19 PM EST