Just hours after the Philadelphia Eagles selected Makai Lemon with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the rookie was already getting acclimated to his new city — and his new teammates. After his post-first-round press conference, Lemon was spotted with Eagles star wide receiver DeVonta Smith at Game 3 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics in Philadelphia, offering an early glimpse of a budding connection between the two wideouts.
The moment may seem small, but it speaks to the culture inside the locker room and how quickly Eagles' veterans embrace incoming talent. Smith, one of the Eagles' most polished and reliable playmakers, taking Lemon under his wing will certainly accelerate the rookie's transition to the NFL. For Lemon, being welcomed into the fold so quickly — especially by a player of Smith's caliber — is another sign that Philadelphia expects him to contribute sooner rather than later.
Showing the new guy around pic.twitter.com/Hm0rtdqUYj
Makai Lemon is here with DeVonta Smith ahead of the Sixers/Celtics game. Makai got himself a Maxey jersey. pic.twitter.com/3GhFHfn77c
In a move that'll certainly signal the end of the A.J. Brown era in Philadelphia, the Eagles traded picks No. 23, 114 & 137 to Dallas for pick 20 and a 7th round pick. The Eagles then selected Southern Cal star wide receiver Makai Lemon. With the move, Philadelphia currently has Brown, DeVonta Smith, Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Dontayvion Wicks, Johnny Wilson, and others among a deep, wide receiver corps.
The expectation is that A.J. Brown will be traded after June 1, when his dead cap hit drops significantly.
Lemon was the best receiver in college football last season, taking home the Biletnikoff Award. His 90.8 PFF grade led all wideouts in college football. The USC junior wide receiver was dominant for the Trojans this season, while serving as Jayden Maiava's favorite target in the team's high-powered passing attack. He won the Biletnikoff Award as the most outstanding wide receiver in college football after he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lemon had just three touchdown catches in his first two college seasons combined.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon spotted at Sixers-Celtics playoff game