The Philadelphia Eagles' new first-round receiver, Makai Lemon, makes sense on paper and in film, and it also reveals that the front office has learned from past mistakes.
When the Eagles jumped Pittsburgh by trading with the Dallas Cowboys, Lemon was on the phone with the Steelers. Pittsburgh did not have an obvious need for a wide receiver in round one, but it showed how dialed in Howie Roseman is to every team's tendencies, regardless of their needs. This was also confirmation of a front office that has learned from past mistakes and will not allow that type of player to pass them by again.
Makai Lemon, though mainly viewed as a slot receiver, has the traits, the fit, and the personality to thrive in the City of Brotherly Love.
I, like many others, immediately connected the selection to the franchise having learned its lesson for allowing “a slot receiver” like Justin Jefferson to pass by. He is not the same player stylistically, but the change in philosophy tracks. This is a receiver who may not win with elite traits on the outside, but rather with intelligence, athleticism, and size on the inside.
Makai arrives in Philly fresh off an 1,100 yards season, 11 touchdowns, and improved production year over year. A 2.5 percent drop rate and 3.13 yards per route run show his reliability and how quickly he gets open.
Lemon’s game is not based on low percentage targets down the field, though he creates plenty of splash plays with his YAC ability. His game is rooted in precise route-running, elusiveness, and punishing defenders after the catch.
He is lethal on the in and out breakers, and the type of big play receiver who can turn a routine completion meant to pick up five yards into a twenty-yard gain. He does a lot of damage over the middle, particularly when facing zone. He can dictate on that part of the field, and he does. When you watch his film, you can see how he finds the void in the coverage, his ability to understand spacing, and his high football IQ for reading coverage and adjusting in real time.
He is not a burner like DeSean Jackson, but rather, he is slippery and crafty.
One scout I reached out to compared him to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the comparison makes sense beyond the USC connection.
Clean routes, strong hands, and tough over the middle.
Lemon seems destined to play most of his snaps from the slot with the Eagles. Most of his offensive snaps in college were from the position, but he can play outside when needed.
His ability to shine on the perimeter, utilizing body control and ball-tracking skills, shows up, but his clean route-running is why he was brought in.
Like new teammate DeVonta Smith, the crisp, precise route running will be his calling card in the NFL. His competitiveness due to his size is similar as well. He puts his body on the line going for the ball over the middle time and time again, and his strong hands at the catch point will make him another reliable receiver that Hurts can lean on.
Much like Skinny Batman, Lemon is also a willing blocker, a competitor on every play, whether the ball is headed his way or not.
Makai also has some return-game juice if the Eagles need to unleash it, ala what they did with DeSean Jackson almost two decades ago, when he came into the league.
Everyone who speaks on Makai discusses a player who lives for football. A student, a film junkie, a guy who desires to be great. That culture fit is not by accident; it is one of their core identities.
Lemon already discussed wanting a rematch against Nick Sirianni in a game of hoops they played against one another during his 30 visit: “I let the coach win.”
Competitive nature personified.
Lemon’s value will not be limited to the stats he puts up, but also what he forces defense to do, and how he forces them to honor his ability over the middle. His ability to win underneath will force linebackers and nickelbacks to cover him, rather than sit on routes Dallas Goedert or any other tight end is running.
Much like a vertical threat receiver who stresses defense over the top, Makai will stress them underneath.
He may not be the centerpiece receiver some envisioned the Eagles replacing AJ Brown with, but he has the opportunity to be a receiver who can be one of Jalen Hurts' best friends on the field.
Howie Roseman and the Eagles' front office recognized a player falling who could make their offense harder to defend, and when we all look back in a few years, they may have landed the player who will make one of the biggest differences on any team's offense.
As always, thank you for reading!
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