Eagles’ selection of Makai Lemon lands among 2026 NFL Draft’s elite

The board fell. Philadelphia acted. Coming into draft night, Lemon was widely viewed as one of the top receivers available. Some believed he wouldn’t make it out of the top 15. Others had him slotted even higher. Philadelphia didn’t wait to find out once he hung around longer than expected.

Makai Lemon is a perfect fit for what comes next

Lemon arrives in Philadelphia with expectations, but also opportunity. Paired with DeVonta Smith and catching passes from Jalen Hurts, he steps into a situation designed to maximize his skill set. His route-running, explosiveness, and ability to create separation give the Eagles another dimension offensively. That’s the vision. The symbolism matters too. There’s also something fitting about Lemon’s next chapter. He’ll wear No. 9, a number passed along with the blessing of Nick Foles. In a city that values legacy as much as production, that connection won’t go unnoticed. Less than a week after hearing his name called, he has signed his rookie deal ahead of Eagles rookie minicamp.

Makai Lemon hasn’t taken an NFL snap yet, but the expectations are already clear. If early reviews mean anything, and in Philadelphia, they usually do, the Eagles didn’t just land a wide receiver. They may have landed one of the defining players of their draft class.

If that proves true, this won’t just be remembered as a strong pick. It will be remembered as another one of those moments where the Eagles trusted their instincts and got it right.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles’ Makai Lemon pick lands among 2026 NFL Draft’s elite selections