# Makai Lemon's debut went backwards

> The Eagles traded up for a Biletnikoff winner, and his first NFL game ended with negative receiving yards.
- Title: Makai Lemon's debut went backwards · Newsweek | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: nfl, eagles, rookies, wide receivers, makai lemon, Makai, Lemon's, debut, went, backwards, Newsweek
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/sports/nfl/eagles-rookie-wr-makai-lemon-had-historically-bad-nfl-debut-12439424
- Author: Rowan Fisher-Shotton
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nfl, eagles, rookies, wide receivers, makai lemon
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.