Sep 20, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) runs for a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez
The Eagles traded up with the division-rival Dallas Cowboys — leapfrogging the Pittsburgh Steelers — to take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Both Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni raved about Lemon in their meeting with the media Thursday evening. Let's take a look at what some of the NFL Draft experts have to say about the selection of the player who won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as college football's top wideout in 2025.
Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: A-
There's some nuance in this evaluation, with the duo noting that "Lemon has some size limitations and isn’t a burner." Still, they go on to say that the 21-year-old "might be the most quarterback-friendly receiver in the class" and compare him to Amon-Ra St. Brown, a two-time First-Team All-Pro. That'll play.
Renner writes that "Lemons has very few weaknesses outside of his size and should be able to step into a slot role and be productive from Day 1." As the Eagles try to hit the ground running under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, that's a profile that will excite fans.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: A-
Here's a second A- for the selection of Lemon, with Middlehurst-Schwartz noting that he "can provide Jalen Hurts with instant solutions in the underneath to intermediate area while allowing DeVonta Smith to become the attack's featured player." Obviously, all of these evaluations mention that the Eagles feel pretty much certain to trade A.J. Brown after June 1 now.
Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: A
The Eagles did trade their first-round pick (No. 23), along with two fourth-round selections (Nos. 114 and 137) to move up to the 20th pick and take Lemon. The SI breakdown says that will be a worthwhile investment for the Eagles: "Lemon is a tremendous value, even at the price to trade up from No. 23, giving general manager Howie Roseman a potential steal."
The Steelers were on the phone with Makai Lemon when Eagles leapfrogged them to take WR
[image or embed]— Tim Kelly (@timkellysports.bsky.social) April 23, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Ben Linsey, Pro Football Focus: Very Good
PFF uses a different scale, with possible grades of poor, average, good, very good and elite. Linsey gave the second-highest possible mark to the Eagles for the selection, saying "Lemon adds a player who can make tough catches over the middle of the field, as he recorded 10 receptions on 14 contested targets in 2025."
At this point, the fridge is running out of room to hand all the good grades. Rang is the latest to love the Lemon pick, writing that "as a receiver, runner (on reverses) and returner, Lemon will quickly prove a fan — and more importantly, Jalen Hurts’ — favorite."
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A+
OK, one last great report for the road. Iyer notes that Lemon probably shouldn't be viewed as a direct replacement for Brown, saying that he "doesn't have the same type of skill set as his quickness, hands and route-running are better suited to win in the slot." Nonetheless, he gives the pick an A+, writing that Lemon "will be busy moving the chains soon for Jalen Hurts."
