Eagles Draft Makai Lemon: A Game-Changer for Fantasy Football and A.J. Brown's Future
The Philadelphia Eagles reshaped their receiving corps by selecting Makai Lemon in the first round of the NFL Draft. Traded up to No. 20 overall by swapping picks with Dallas, the Eagles aim to bolster their passing game with Lemon, who is viewed as a potential replacement for A.J. Brown once he is traded after June 1. Key points regarding the draft and future outlook: The Eagles traded pick No. 23 and two fourth-round picks (114 and 137) to acquire Lemon. Brown is likely to be dealt to the New England Patriots, who are leading the chase for him. Lemon is the fourth receiver added by the Eagles this offseason, joining Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, and Dontayvion Wicks. DeVonta Smith is expected to compete for the No. 1 target alongside Lemon and could be a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver. Smith has a strong rapport with Jalen Hurts and could lead in targets by 2026. However, Lemon has the potential to be the best rookie Fantasy receiver this year, with a strong college record of 79 catches, 1,156 yards, and 11 touchdowns at USC, where he won the Biletnikoff Award. As Lemon joins the Eagles, the dynamics of the passing game will change, with Dallas Goedert and Saquon Barkley also involved. The new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, will have exciting options to utilize. While Hurts will miss Brown, Lemon’s addition is a promising development for Fantasy managers, making the Eagles’ pick at No. 20 overall a significant move.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-24