Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon said newly crowned No. 1 target DeVonta Smith has been his biggest mentor since he joined the franchise, pointing to how the star wideout works and leads. Lemon’s comments came during a youth football camp,
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon spent today running a youth football camp, but the moment he talked about adjusting to life in Philadelphia, his answer came fast.
When asked who has helped him settle into the pros, Lemon didn’t list a coach, a position group, or a mentor he’d only just met. He went straight to the player sharing his world in the locker room.
“My biggest mentor, I’d probably say, Smitty,” Lemon said, referencing star wideout DeVonta Smith. “Just the way he works, the way he carries himself, just being a leader.”
Lemon made the point in an interview at his camp on June 20. 2026—crediting Smith as his guide since joining the Eagles. The connection isn’t hard to understand. Philadelphia has been reshaping its offense under new coordinator Sean Mannion. and the receiver room carries a changed weight after veteran star A.J. Brown’s departure.
Philadelphia responded by selecting Lemon with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. aiming to fill a massive void at wide receiver. Lemon arrives with a strong college resume from USC, where he was the 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner. In his final season with the Trojans, Lemon recorded 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns.
His style—elite route-running and toughness—has drawn comparisons to Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown, but in Philadelphia, Lemon’s attention stays on the learning curve he’s already living. Smith’s presence. from daily routine to leadership role. gives the rookie a concrete blueprint for how to meet the expectations that come with being a first-round pick in Philadelphia.
Smith knows that pressure personally. He set a franchise rookie record with 916 receiving yards back in 2021, then turned that start into a reputation for precision route-running—exactly the kind of traits Lemon says he’s trying to absorb.
There is also timing to Lemon’s adjustment. He has dealt with a minor hamstring issue during spring workouts, and training camp is still ahead. Even so. Lemon’s decision to point to Smith as his mentor carries a clear message: when expectations rise fast. having a proven leader in the same room can make the transition feel less like guesswork.
For Philadelphia. the bigger storyline is the offense taking shape under Sean Mannion. with a receiver room built around what’s been lost and what’s being asked to arrive. For Lemon, the immediate focus is simpler. He wants to model the work habits and leadership he sees from the star who helped define what Philadelphia expects from its wide receivers.
Philadelphia Eagles Makai Lemon DeVonta Smith A.J. Brown Sean Mannion 2026 NFL Draft USC Trojans Fred Biletnikoff Award hamstring NFL