The future of A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles has continued to grow during the early stages of the offseason. If the team were to move on from its star wideout, it’d likely open the door for Philadelphia to target a new offensive weapon early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Some already want the Eagles to do so with their first-round pick.
According to Cayden Steele of NJ.com, one potential replacement could come from an ex-college star in the form of Makai Lemon. The standout receiver from USC is one of the most intriguing wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft class, with many believing he’s the best.
The problem is that Lemon will likely go before the Eagles pick.
Steele noted that if the Eagles were to trade Brown, the additional draft capital would give them the needed assets to move up the board to land Lemon. The receiver is widely viewed as a high-first round pick, meaning Philadelphia could realistically target him if it decides to pursue a new playmaker.
“The Eagles could receive extra ammunition from a Brown trade to move up for Lemon, one of the top wide receivers in the 2026 class. The USC star could realistically fall to the middle of the first round,” Steele wrote.
While Lemon’s production and skill set have impressed evaluators, some scouts have questioned whether his size could limit him at the next level. However, Steele suggested that concern may be overstated in today’s NFL.
“Some people are concerned that Lemon, at 5-11, 192 pounds, is too small to play on the outside — but does it really matter? An elite slot receiver can be just as impactful as a star X or Z receiver.”
If Lemon were to land in Philadelphia, his skill set would fit in nicely with current Eagles star DeVonta Smith. Smith would have some adjusting to do as the clear WR1, but he can handle it.
“Lemon would complement Smith’s dynamic route running. He has strong hands, making tough catches in traffic while absorbing big hits, and he is a crafty route runner who consistently gets open over the middle, especially against zone coverage. He is most dangerous after the catch, generating 502 yards in that area this past season.”
For the Eagles, the idea of replacing a player like Brown will never be as easy as it sounds. However, if Philadelphia decides to go this route, Lemon would be one of the more intriguing options to replace him with.