Eagles Rookie Makai Lemon Names His Mentor. It’s the Guy Who Already Has a Ring.

Makai Lemon has been an Eagle for a few months. He already knows who he’s watching closely.

The rookie wide receiver, taken 20th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, held a youth football camp today near Philadelphia. When a reporter asked who has helped him most since arriving, Lemon didn’t hesitate.

“My biggest mentor, I’d probably say, Smitty,” Lemon said, referring to DeVonta Smith. “Just the way he works, the way he carries himself, just being a leader.”

The video clip of the quote spread quickly online. It makes sense. The Eagles room looks different now. A.J. Brown is gone. Smith is the clear number one. And the rookie who won the Fred Biletnikoff Award at USC is trying to absorb everything.

Why Smith is the perfect guy for Lemon

Smith knows the pressure. He came in as a first-round pick in 2021 and immediately set a franchise rookie record with 916 yards. He’s now one of the most precise route-runners in the league. Lemon’s game is built on similar strengths — elite route running, toughness, and the ability to make contested catches.

Some scouts have compared Lemon to the Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown. That’s high praise. But Lemon is focused on the guy in his own meeting room.

Lemon’s final season at USC was massive: 79 catches, 1,156 yards, 11 touchdowns. The Eagles needed a playmaker after Brown left, and they got one. But the transition hasn’t been totally smooth. Lemon dealt with a minor hamstring issue during offseason workouts. Nothing serious, but enough to slow him down.

Having Smith in his corner should help. Smith’s daily routine, his work ethic, his approach to preparation — that’s the blueprint Lemon is trying to follow. It’s not complicated. Watch the best, do what they do.

What this means for Philadelphia’s offense

The offense is changing under new coordinator Sean Mannion. The identity is still being built. Smith will get the most attention from defenses. If Lemon can develop quickly, that changes everything for this group. A 1-2 punch of Smith and Lemon, with someone like Dallas Goedert underneath, gives Mannion options.

Training camp starts in a few weeks. Lemon should be fully healthy by then. And he’ll be lining up next to the guy he’s trying to become.

That’s a good problem to have.