The Philadelphia Eagles have a lingering problem at wide receiver that appears will be running over through their Week 4 showdown against the Los Angeles Rams, which might actually help rookie Makai Lemon out.
Lemon is off to an incredibly slow start to the 2026 season, catching just seven passes for 38 yards, with only three receptions for first downs and a longest play of 19 yards. This has frustrated many Eagles fans, who expected him to replace A.J. Brown as one of the team's top receivers. Instead, Dontayvion Wicks has been filling that role.
Something is changing, though, that could give Lemon the opening he needs to prove to the fan base that he's the real deal. The latest injury report has DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Hollywood Brown (ankle) missing the first two practices, and they might miss the Rams game. Lemon could get a bigger role in the offense...if the Eagles can use him correctly.
Eagles can't misuse Makai Lemon in the offense for Week 4
One of the biggest problems with Lemon's early-season struggles has been offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's fixation on making the screen pass work with Lemon. It has only resulted in all of them going for negative yards.
One stat shows, though, that there might be a better way for Lemon to be used in the offense. The Score editor Brenden Deeg showed how one route might actually be working well for Lemon.
"On in-breaking routes through three games, Makai Lemon is averaging 3.8 yards of separation, according to Next Gen Stats.
That ranks 17th among all qualifying wide receivers and first among rookies.
Use. Him. In. The. Right. Way."
The quick feet and speed that Lemon has is a big reason this route is giving him so much separation. He doesn't nearly get enough credit for being a percise route runner and when he is allowed to go vertical down the field, it actually works.
Eagles fans saw it twice in the 27-7 loss to the Chicago Bears and once in the 24-20 win against the Tennessee Titans. There are ways to get Lemon the ball and let him get positive yards. Mannion assumes because he's got speed that Lemon can make the plays needed on a screen, but that has not happened yet and may not happen with him.
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The hope is that in Week 4, with Smith and Brown potentially being out for the game that Mannion will allow more vertical balls down the field for Lemon. He's proven that he can get separation, but just needs the right call to be made and let his feet do the rest.
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