Makai Lemon

Makai Lemon News

Makai Lemon Still Expected to Have a Major Role in Eagles Passing Game

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) is expected to have a major role in the team's passing game, according to Zach Berman of The Athletic. The 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Lemon has missed a large portion of training camp with a hamstring injury and just recently returned to practice in a limited capacity. Still, Berman writes that Lemon is expected to be one of Philly's top three wide receivers alongside DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, and that the team believes the rookie can stay up to speed even without on-field work. Following their offseason trade of wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots, the Eagles have a significant level of pass-catching production to backfill in 2026. As long as he can stay healthy from here on out, Lemon could be a major part of that effort. In leagues where his value may be dropping due to injury concerns, Lemon could be a solid buy-low target for fantasy managers.

Aug 21, 2026 12:25 PM EST

Makai Lemon Back at Practice

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) returned to practice on Thursday, seen warming up alongside his teammates without a red non-contact jersey. The Eagles are participating in their second day of joint practices with the New England Patriots, so after being sidelined for more than two weeks with a hamstring injury, Lemon will get his first taste of NFL competition against a different team. The 20th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Lemon was expected to be a major piece in replacing the production of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, with whom he will share the field on Thursday, but his absence has allowed Dontayvion Wicks to step in as the team's second wide receiver option behind DeVonta Smith. Lemon has fallen to RotoBaller's WR47, but a few positive reports could see his stock rise in the final weeks of draft season.

Aug 20, 2026 7:01 AM EST

Makai Lemon Could Be Nearing a Return

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) has missed valuable training camp time with a hamstring injury, but after taking part in on-field rehab work during Monday's practice, Eagles beat reporter EJ Smith believes he is closing in on a return to full participation. Lemon has been sidelined since early August, and Smith cautions that because his role within Sean Mannion's offense appears to be so specific, he could still need significant time to work through the details before cracking the starting lineup. Lemon was the 20th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and his selection was part of a plan to replace the production of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, but his absence has created an opportunity for Dontayvion Wicks to claim the second spot alongside DeVonta Smith in two-receiver sets. While he could still find fantasy relevance late in the year, Lemon has fallen to RotoBaller's WR47 for 2026 drafts.

Aug 19, 2026 5:36 AM EST

Makai Lemon Still Sidelined With Hamstring Injury

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) remained out of practice Monday, according to Zach Berman. The rookie has now missed a significant chunk of training camp with the injury after first being sidelined earlier this month. Lemon also dealt with a hamstring issue during the spring, though it is unclear whether the two are related. Philadelphia traded up to select him 20th overall in April, and the Eagles still list him as a starter on their current unofficial depth chart. That makes the missed time more notable with the regular season getting closer. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award at USC last season after leading the Power Four with 1,156 receiving yards, and Philadelphia drafted him with the expectation that he could contribute quickly. For now, the biggest issue is simply getting him back on the field. The Eagles have not announced a timetable for his return, and Monday brought another missed opportunity for Lemon to get work in the new offense.

Aug 17, 2026 9:25 AM EST

Makai Lemon Missing Another Practice on Thursday

Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) is missing his seventh straight training camp practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com. The good news is that Lemon was seen with a helmet on while catching passes from a JUGS machine on a side field on Thursday. Fellow wideout DeVonta Smith is also missing his seventh straight practice with a hamstring injury, and both pass-catchers are unlikely to play in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. With Smith and Lemon sidelined, Dontayvion Wicks has cemented himself as the team's WR2 behind Smith and has displayed strong chemistry with quarterback Jalen Hurts as he heads into his first season with the Eagles after a trade sent Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. The 22-year-old Lemon should have a key role in the Eagles' new offense in 2026 after being taken in the first round, but Wicks' emergence and Lemon's hamstring injury have put a damper on his redraft fantasy stock. Lemon is now ranked as the No. 50 WR at RotoBaller and could get off to a slow start in the NFL.

Aug 13, 2026 8:00 AM EST

Fair to Doubt Makai Lemon's Starting Status

When the Philadelphia Eagles spent a first-round pick on wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring), he was viewed as a critical piece to replacing the production of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, with expectations that he could earn a starting role out the gates. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury has sidelined him for much of training camp, and when he has been on the field, his impact has been minimal, leading beat reporter Jimmy Kempski to note, "It's fair at this point to doubt that he will start, at least early in the season." A strong camp has positioned Dontayvion Wicks to begin the year as the team's second receiver opposite DeVonta Smith, but Lemon still has a chance to earn early reps out of the slot, making the team's three-game preseason slate and a pair of joint practices with the Patriots all the more important for his development. The rookie sits at RotoBaller's WR50, but a further prolonged absence could push him into the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.

Aug 10, 2026 5:25 AM EST

Makai Lemon Still Not Practicing

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) is once more absent from practice on Saturday, marking the fourth straight missed session as he deals with a hamstring injury. A first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the path was clear for him to immediately step into a sizable role following the departure of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, but as he continues to miss time, trade acquisition Dontayvion Wicks has reportedly built a strong case to begin the year as the Eagles' second receiver alongside DeVonta Smith. Lemon worked primarily out of the slot at USC and still has the potential to earn a similar role in Philadelphia. Still, without regular usage in two-receiver sets, he could struggle to consistently deliver for fantasy. Lemon is RotoBaller's WR50, and after being billed as part of a big three for much of the pre-draft process, he's fallen well behind Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson in 2026 redraft rankings.

Aug 8, 2026 6:13 AM EST

Makai Lemon Misses Another Practice

After a closed walkthrough session on Thursday, Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon is absent from his third straight public practice as he deals with a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Tuesday. With DeVonta Smith also missing time, the offense has reportedly faced some stumbles in recent practices. While Smith's role atop the depth chart is not in question, Lemon's absence has opened the door for offseason acquisition Dontayvion Wicks to stake a claim to the Eagles' WR2 spot, as seen by several reporters on the beat. Used primarily as a slot receiver on his way to earning the Biletnikoff Award at USC, Lemon should still see an important role in Philadelphia's offense as Wicks profiles more as a boundary replacement for A.J. Brown. Lemon is RotoBaller's WR46, and if he can return without missing extended time, an expectation to see the second most targets on the team is still not out of the question.

Aug 7, 2026 7:01 AM EST

Makai Lemon Not Practicing with Hamstring Injury

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon is not practicing on Tuesday, listed with a hamstring issue by The Athletic's Zach Berman. Joining Lemon on the DNP list is DeVonta Smith, who deals with a hamstring concern of his own, but while the veteran has years of chemistry banked with quarterback Jalen Hurts, as evidenced by their two red zone touchdown connections on Monday, Lemon is still looking to establish a role in Sean Mannion's offense. The 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Lemon did not participate in team drills on Monday, and his status will need to be monitored, as he factors as a critical piece in replacing the production of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. With the WR2 spot up for grabs across from Smith, Lemon is RotoBaller's WR45, but any lingering concerns could cause his ADP to drop.

Aug 4, 2026 7:13 AM EST

Makai Lemon Held Out of Team Drills

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon did not participate in team drills during Monday's practice, according to Delaware Online. The first-round rookie remained in uniform and went through individual work, but the reason for his limitation was not disclosed. Lemon missed the final two weeks of Philadelphia's spring practices with a hamstring injury, though he said on August 1 that he was fully healed. There is no confirmation that Monday's absence from team periods was related to the same issue. The Eagles selected Lemon 20th overall after he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final season at USC. Missing team work is notable for a rookie learning a new offense, but Lemon was not completely sidelined. His participation in Philadelphia's next practice should provide a better indication of whether this was simply a precaution or the beginning of another absence.

Aug 3, 2026 10:54 AM EST

Makai Lemon Being Frequently Put in Motion

When the Philadelphia Eagles traded up in the 2026 NFL Draft to select wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th pick of the first round, he became an integral part of the plan to replace three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. Through the early stages of training camp, the team has been creative with his usage, according to Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver in college football while operating primarily out of the slot, but McLane reports that new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has regularly put him in motion, either pre-snap or at the snap, and he's even taken some reps on the outside, which is something that could be asked more of him in 2026. Brown topped 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons with the Eagles, and the task of replacing that production will likely be split between Lemon and new additions Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown, with Lemon having the highest potential ceiling of the group and currently coming off the board around the seventh or eighth round of 2026 drafts.

Aug 1, 2026 5:25 AM EST

Makai Lemon "Feeling Great", "100 Percent" Ready for Camp

Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring) said that he's "feeling great" and is "100%" ready to go for the start of training camp after dealing with a hamstring injury during the offseason program, according to Olivia Reiner of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Lemon could be eased into camp at the end of July, but once he's a full-go, he has an opportunity to become Philly's WR2 behind DeVonta Smith in his first year in the NFL after the Eagles traded Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots this offseason. The 20th overall pick out of USC comes to the NFL after having recorded 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions in 12 games in 2025 in his third and final year at USC for the Trojans. Lemon has the clear runway to become a weekly flex option for fantasy managers in his first year in the league, but there should be some hesitation from managers with the Eagles coming off a frustrating 2025 campaign on offense in which they really struggled to move the ball through the air. In redraft leagues, RotoBaller has Lemon ranked as the No. 45 pass-catcher. He'll be more attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues for his athleticism and big-play abilities out of the slot.

Jul 17, 2026 10:41 AM EST

Makai Lemon Could Make an Immediate Impact

In trading up for wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman took yet another step to prepare the team for life without three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. By that point, the Eagles had already signed Hollywood Brown and traded for Dontayvion Wicks, and with three-time 1,000-yard receiver DeVonta Smith still in the building, Roseman was able to retool the group on the fly. With a versatile group of new pass catchers looking to earn their spots behind Smith, it will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting position groups to watch when the team reconvenes for training camp in late July, and Sports Illustrated's Eagles reporter Ed Kracz believes Lemon will be used primarily out of the slot and will be the team's most impactful rookie. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award operating primarily from the inside at USC, and if he can carve out an early role, he could pay immediate fantasy dividends as a late-round pick in 2026 drafts, particularly in full-PPR leagues.

Jun 26, 2026 5:25 AM EST

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