Most people in Philly are excited to see Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith be the top QB-WR duo for the Philadelphia Eagles after the A.J. Brown trade, but there might be another one that no one is talking about.
Rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon rolls into two as the new starting slot receiver, but he can do everything that is needed at the wide receiver position, making him a threat in the Eagles' passing game. CBS Sports' Garrett Podell likes the potential between Hurts and Lemon, as he ranked them as the eighth-best new QB-WR duo in the NFL.
"Jalen Hurts is fresh off one of his worst NFL seasons. He averaged a career-low 7.1 yards per pass attempt as well as his lowest completion percentage (64.8%) since 2021-- Hurts' first season as the Eagles' full-time starting quarterback. ESPN also reported significant offensive discontent in Philadelphia in with Hurts at the center of it all.Â
Now, A.J. Brown is a New England Patriot as a result of all that drama, and the Eagles shifted by drafting USC's Makai Lemon 20th overall. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award in his last year after leading the Big Ten in yards after catch (502). A reset at offensive coordinator with former Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion taking over playcalling in Philadelphia should allow for a much-needed fresh start for Hurts, which could lead to a fun new connection with his first-round rookie wide receiver."
Jalen Hurts-Makai Lemon combo could be one that lasts a long time
The potential of Lemon is unreal, as he was one of the top wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He's coming off a season where he won the Fred Biletnikoff trophy for being the nation's best receiver last year, as he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns for the USC Trojans.
Hurts can use all the help he can get after losing Brown and having a new wide receiver room with Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and Elijah Moore, essentially. Lemon could end up being the most important new relationship Hurts builds rapport with since he will be in Philly for at least four years.
While not many have made the comparison, Lemon is a lot like Smith when he came out of college, where he wasn't the fastest or biggest receiver in the class, but he can do it all. Lemon is a terrific route runner who can make all the catches at receiver.
Read more: A.J. Brown's trade can't stop NFL voice from believing in Eagles' offensive triplet
Hurts and Lemon will need time to build their relationship, and it may take the full 2026 season to get there. Lemon is so talented a receiver that he makes it work very quickly, giving Hurts arguably the deepest wide receiver room he has ever had since being in Philly.
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