Will this Eagles 1st-round rookie live up to sky-high expectations?
· Yahoo Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles are less than a month away from the start of training camp. We’ll be counting down the 25 most important Eagles for the 2026 season.
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11. Jonathan Greenard
10. Cam Jurgens
9. Makai Lemon
The Eagles’ decision to trade up and draft Makai Lemon in the first round, followed by A.J. Brown’s exit, will put a lot of pressure on the USC star to perform in Philadelphia.
Lemon shouldn’t be viewed as a direct replacement for Brown, the three-time All-Pro. But by many, he will be. That’s one of the reasons why Lemon is such an important player in 2026.
Makai Lemon is listed at +1100 on BetMGM to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award next season. Our comprehensive BetMGM Sportsbook review provides an excellent guide on how to use their app. Also, make sure to visit our NFL futures betting guide to learn more about betting on NFL futures.
DeVonta Smith will take on the WR1 role. Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown were added in free agency. Dallas Goedert and Eli Stowers are difference-makers at tight end, too. But the Eagles are hoping for an immediate impact from Lemon, the No. 20 pick in April’s draft.
And Lemon has the talent and the pedigree to do that right away. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver in college football last year. He was super productive at USC, recording 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025.
Lemon is a dynamic route runner. He’s dangerous after the catch. He has great feel as a slot option. And he also has some juice as a punt returner.
Howie Roseman and Co. made a sizable investment in Lemon, trading up and jumping the Steelers for him. So the Eagles will want to see all that Lemon can do in his rookie season.
Lemon wasn’t able to make the best first impression in the spring, missing time in OTAs and mandatory minicamp with a hamstring injury.
But assuming Lemon is OK for training camp and beyond, expect the rookie receiver to be under the microscope.
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