It’s hard to see expectations for rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon being any higher. But that’s from a local perspective.
ESPN’s Ben Solak has much more moderate Lemon expectations at least for his rookie 2026 campaign. For that reason, Solak argued the wideout is a “long shot” to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
“Lemon is the leader in the clubhouse for WR2 behind DeVonta Smith (assuming A.J. Brown is traded), but it’s tough to feel great about his potential for drawing volume on a run-heavy team such as the Eagles,” wrote Solak. “However, any injury to Smith will immediately put Lemon in a position for eight-plus (and even 10-plus) targets per game, as there are no incumbent veterans (save for Dallas Goedert) in his way.
“He goes from an afterthought to potential leader in the clubhouse should that domino fall.”
Lemon made the All-American team for the USC Trojans last season. He posted 79 catches, 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Eagles moved up four spots to grab Lemon in the 2026 NFL Draft. Philadelphia selected the receiver at No. 20 overall.
Makai Lemon Rookie Expectations for Eagles
Solak’s point about Lemon playing in a run-first offense is well taken. The first-round wideout may simply not get enough opportunities to really have a chance to win the rookie of the year award.
How involved Lemon ultimately is, though, will greatly depend on A.J. Brown’s status.
For most of the offseason, the media has considered it a foregone conclusion that the Eagles would trade Brown to the New England Patriots or another potential suitor.
But even with Lemon’s selection, and the Eagles adding other receivers this offseason, A Brown trade isn’t guaranteed to happen.
“As one team source pointed out, the Patriots have nothing binding with the Philadelphia Eagles and A.J. Brown. No firm agreement is in place,” wrote ESPN’s Fowler on April 29. “Now, could there be a wink-wink understanding? Certainly.
“But New England was free to make a move for a receiver, and it was on its radar in the first two rounds.”
Regardless of Devonta Smith’s health, Lemon is a real long shot for offensive rookie of the year if Brown returns.
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Frontrunners
The NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year could be an intriguing race this season.
The top offensive talent in the draft didn’t necessarily land in places where they are guaranteed to immediately be stars. That could mean a wide open race for the award.
Solak, though, went with the usual suspects as the front runners. He called Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love and Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate the favorites.
The ESPN analyst included Lemon on his list of long shots along with New Orleans Saints wideout Jordyn Tyson, Cleveland Browns receiver KC Concepcion, New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and Seattle Seahawks running back Jadarian Price.
Solak also had a list of “longer shots.” So if Eagles fans want to put a positive spin on Solak’s expectations for Lemon, he sees the Philadelphia rookie with better award odds than Denzel Boston, Carson Beck, Antonio Williams and Drew Allar.
Overall, Solak ranked Lemon at No. 7 in the award’s race.
An Eagles player has never won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The league has been giving out the honor since 1967.
Eagles’ Makai Lemon ‘Long Shot’ for Rookie Accolade: Analyst