ClutchPoints
Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon has barely scratched the surface of his NFL journey, but he already knows exactly who he wants to emulate in the locker room.
The first-round draft pick out of USC hosted a youth football camp today and opened up about his transition to the pros. When asked about who has helped him adjust to life in Philadelphia, Lemon didn’t hesitate to give credit to the team’s newly minted No. 1 pass-catcher.
“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.”
Makai Lemon said in an interview today at his camp that Devonta Smith has been his mentor since joining the Eagles pic.twitter.com/EjPIssJDi6
— Cooper DeJAWN (@CooperDeJawn3) June 20, 2026
The connection makes perfect sense for an Eagles team undergoing an offensive facelift under new coordinator Sean Mannion. Following the departure of veteran star A.J. Brown, Philadelphia selected Lemon with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to fill a massive void in the wide receiver room.
The 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner brings an impressive resume to town after hauling in 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final season with the USC Trojans. While his elite route-running and toughness have drawn comparisons to Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lemon is focused on learning from the guy sharing his own meeting rooms.
Smith knows exactly what it takes to carry high expectations as a first-round pick in Philadelphia. He set a franchise rookie record with 916 receiving yards back in 2021 and has since established himself as one of the most precise route-runners in football.
For Lemon, watching Smith’s daily routine provides a perfect blueprint. The rookie has dealt with a minor hamstring issue during spring workouts, but having a proven leader like Smith in his corner should help ensure he hits the ground running when training camp kicks off.
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