The Philadelphia Eagles did a lot of work in the 2026 NFL Draft to add some young offensive talent, and one of them might be a prime candidate to take home a Rookie of the Year award.
Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame shared his top five candidates to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2026. Eagles rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon was ranked fourth on the list as a surprise name to watch for.
"Lemon is a sneaky contender. The Eagles traded up with the NFC East–rival Cowboys to land the USC talent, selecting him at No. 20. With the Trojans, Lemon was a force in the slot, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior last season. Coming to Philadelphia, he’s going to have an immediate impact. With an A.J. Brown trade looming in the coming weeks, Lemon stands to play alongside star DeVonta Smith as a key weapon for quarterback Jalen Hurts. Lemon also walks into a fresh situation with first-time offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who takes over for the embattled Kevin Patullo. Mannion comes to Philadelphia with a new perspective, giving the rookie a chance to learn the offense along with everyone else. Lemon also draws an advantageous schedule. The NFC East is without any star corners (outside of his teammates), as evidenced by the Giants, Commanders and Cowboys ranking 16th, 28th and 32nd, respectively, against the pass in 2025."
Makai Lemon might have a real shot at being Offensive Rookie of the Year
Lemon is coming off a season where he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as college football's best wide receiver. He caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 14.6 yards per reception with the USC Trojans.
Going into his rookie season, Lemon is expected to start for the Eagles and line up in the slot. DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks will be the outside receivers, but Lemon could be an interesting pass catcher to watch.
Much of the conversation this offseason about Lemon has centered on the fact that he's not the tallest or fastest receiver. Even with that, he doesn't play like he looks, as he can make all the catches and run clean routes.
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There are some big shoes Lemon has to fill as A.J. Brown will potentially be traded soon, but he has all the tools to have a big season and get his name in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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