Hall of Fame hopeful sees something special in Eagles WR Makai Lemon

Stop the conversation if you’ve heard this before. Football is a contact sport. Actually, that’s not quite right. Football is a collision sport, and that reality is part of the reason why fans of the Philadelphia Eagles have paused, if only briefly, when thinking about their newest wide receiver, Makai Lemon.

The concerns are understandable. Lemon, the 20th player taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, joins DeVonta Smith as a Fred Biletnikoff Award winner, but the comparisons extend beyond accolades.

Both players entered the league with questions about their frames, and while Lemon carries more weight, the narrative hasn’t changed much. For some, it’s still about whether he can hold up physically at the next level.

Lemon doesn’t see it that way. During his introductory press conference, he pushed back on those concerns, emphasizing that heart, mentality, and approach matter far more than measurements. It’s a mindset rooted in confidence, but more importantly, it’s one built on how he actually plays the game.

Makai Lemon has already won over Hall of Fame hopeful Steve Smith Sr.

That mentality didn’t go unnoticed by Steve Smith Sr., someone who understands the challenge better than most. At five-foot-nine, Smith spent his career proving that toughness isn’t dictated by size. He made a name for himself by embracing contact, competing through it, and often initiating it. When he studies a young receiver, he isn’t looking for height or weight. He’s looking for an edge, and he sees plenty in the Eagles' wide receiver.

After watching Lemon’s tape, that’s exactly what stood out. The willingness to fight for the football, the comfort working through traffic, and the refusal to be intimidated all showed up consistently. Those traits don’t always show up on a stat sheet, but they translate immediately to the professional level. That’s what makes this endorsement meaningful.