Birds Get Lemon
Eagles Take USC WR Makai Lemon In First Round
PHILADELPHIA – An early run on offensive tackles enabled the Eagles to aggressively pursue value at another position, trading up three spots with the Dallas Cowboys to secure former USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
The compensation for the trade-up cost the Eagles picks Nos. 23, 114 and 137. In return, Philadelphia moved up three spots and picked up a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Makai Lemon, a WR out of USC, was the Eagles’ first-round pick.
Lemon, 21, appeared in 12 games (11 starts) for the Trojans last season, hauling in 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 192-pounder last season achieved first-team All-Big Ten honors and was a 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner. He elected to only take part in position drills at the NFL Scouting Combine, but clocked a 4.5 40-yard dash at USC’s Pro Day.
Lemon is a razor-sharp route-runner with exceptional body control and strong, dependable hands. He is tough after the catch, making defensive backs work to bring him down. Notably, Lemon also has a background returning kicks, returning 32 kickoffs for 752 yards over three seasons.
The addition of Lemon amplifies the probability of star wideout A.J. Brown being moved in June, as the Eagles invested a premium pick at the position. Lemon will work in tandem with veteran DeVonta Smith, while offseason additions Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown round out the group.
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com
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