From Newsweek · Rowan Fisher-Shotton · · 1m 20s
Makai Lemon's debut went backwards
The Eagles traded up for a Biletnikoff winner, and his first NFL game ended with negative receiving yards.
In brief
The Eagles traded up for a Biletnikoff winner, and his first NFL game ended with negative receiving yards. Draft hype and snap count mean nothing if the targets come at the line of scrimmage. Lemon's role is there, the production isn't yet. Originally reported by Newsweek.
The rookie receiver class debuts
Week 1 put nearly every first-round rookie wideout on the field. Only the Saints' Jordyn Tyson sat, still on IR with a hamstring injury.
Minus five yards
Makai Lemon caught three of four targets for -5 receiving yards. Two of those catches came at or behind the line of scrimmage.
“the Eagles' Makai Lemon by far had the worst day of any rookie debut”
Plenty of snaps, no production
He played 35 snaps, 63.64% of Philadelphia's offensive total and third most among Eagles receivers. He still finished last on the team in receiving yards.
He arrived with real hype
At USC he put up 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 catches as a junior, winning the Biletnikoff Award and unanimous All-American honors.
Philly paid to get him
The Eagles traded with division rival Dallas to move up and take Lemon 20th overall. Scouts were comparing him to Lions All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The No. 2 job is open
After A.J. Brown was dealt to New England, Jalen Hurts needed someone behind DeVonta Smith. For now that job belongs to veteran Dontayvion Wicks, a former fifth-rounder.
What matters most
Draft hype and snap count mean nothing if the targets come at the line of scrimmage. Lemon's role is there, the production isn't yet.
