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Eagles Reassess How They Use First‑Round Receiver Makai Lemon After Quiet Week 1

Coaches point to blocking and unseen work while the team eyes more slot and underneath play‑action snaps as it protects his development.

Overview

  • In the season opener against Washington on Sunday, Lemon caught 3-of-4 targets for minus-5 yards but made a key block on Jalen Hurts’ third-and-18 conversion.
  • Lemon said he has “lots to improve on” and singled out route details after a preseason and training camp disrupted by a recurring hamstring that limited his live reps.
  • Head coach Nick Sirianni publicly defended Lemon, saying many of his contributions do not show up on the stat sheet and that the team trusts his progression.
  • Outside analysts urged a schematic change before Week 2, arguing Lemon is better suited to slot work and underneath routes tied to play-action rather than quick gadget touches.
  • Philadelphia traded up to pick Lemon at No. 20, so the club is taking a multi-week view of his development and will decide in upcoming games whether to alter his snap share or role.