Makai Lemon Is Back — And Philadelphia Has a Bigger Role Available Than You Think

The original question with Makai Lemon was whether Philadelphia could support another receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

That question is outdated.

A.J. Brown is in New England.

Philadelphia traded up to No. 20 overall to draft Lemon.

And now that the rookie is healthy again, the Eagles have a real opportunity available.

I’m paying attention.

The Draft Investment Matters

Philadelphia didn’t simply take Lemon because he fell to them.

The Eagles moved from No. 23 to No. 20 and gave up two fourth-round selections to make sure they got him.

Lemon was coming off a Biletnikoff-winning season at USC in which he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns.

The Eagles specifically praised his ability to separate, play inside or outside and create after the catch.

That versatility is starting to show up in the offense.

Philadelphia Was Already Moving Him Around

On the first day of training camp, Lemon caught the first completion of team drills from Jalen Hurts.

More importantly, Philadelphia immediately had him moving before the snap.

That is what I want to see.

I don’t want a rookie receiver buried at one spot and being asked to win the exact same route against NFL corners every snap.

Motion creates easier releases.

It can identify coverage.

It can manufacture touches.

And for a player with Lemon’s after-the-catch ability, it gives Philadelphia ways to get the football in his hands.

The Injury Interrupted the Hype

Lemon then missed most of August.

That took him out of the fantasy conversation at exactly the point of the offseason when people start reacting most aggressively to camp reports.

Now he’s back.

Lemon returned to full participation Monday and worked throughout team drills.

That is a pretty important development with multiple weeks still remaining before Philadelphia opens the season.

DeVonta Smith Is Still the No. 1

I’m not drafting Lemon expecting him to immediately lead Philadelphia in targets.

DeVonta Smith is the established receiver.

Dallas Goedert remains part of the offense.

Philadelphia also traded for Dontayvion Wicks.

This is still a talented offense with multiple players who need the football.

But the departure of Brown leaves a massive amount of receiving opportunity that did not exist when we first started evaluating this rookie class.

Lemon does not need to become WR1 to matter.

Sean Mannion Has Reasons to Get Creative

The other interesting piece is new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.

Philadelphia is installing a new offense, and early camp usage already showed Lemon being used in motion rather than simply lining up in the same spot every snap.

That makes sense for his skill set.

The Eagles traded up for a player who can line up inside, outside and create with the football.

I expect them to use those traits.

My Fantasy Read

Makai Lemon is one of the rookie receivers I want to leave drafts with when the price is cheap.

There is risk.

He missed valuable training-camp time.

He has never played an NFL snap that counts.

And DeVonta Smith is still the clear established receiver.

But Philadelphia invested first-round capital and extra picks to get Lemon.

The depth chart has real opportunity.

And the early usage suggests they aren’t viewing him as a simple boundary receiver.

If he stays healthy, there are multiple ways for Lemon to become relevant quickly.

That is exactly what I want from a later-round rookie bet.