Anyone who watched Makai Lemon’s junior season at USC knew he was a future top-15 selection. Entering last night’s NFL Draft, Lemon was widely projected to be selected in that range. The board, and more specifically the Los Angeles Rams, had other ideas.
After Carnell Tate (Tennessee Titans) and Jordyn Tyson (New Orleans Saints) were drafted in the top eight, many expected Lemon to be gone by pick No. 13. The Rams surprisingly took Alabama QB Ty Simpson. Lemon then fell to the 20th overall pick, where the Philadelphia Eagles happily leaped over Pittsburgh to obtain his services.
According to ESPN’s live analytics, there was only a 4% chance that Lemon would be available at pick 20. Most national outlets had Lemon off the board as early as No. 11, but no later than No. 16.
- PFF: No. 11, Miami Dolphins
- NFL.com: No. 13, Los Angeles Rams
- CBS Sports: No. 13, Los Angeles Rams
- The Athletic: No. 13, Los Angeles Rams
- Fantasy Life: No. 13, Los Angeles Rams
- Fox Sports: No. 13, Los Angeles Rams
- Rotoballer: No. 14, Baltimore Ravens
- Bleacher Report: No. 16, New York Jets
- ESPN: No. 16, New York Jets
- ProFootballTalk: No. 16, New York Jets
The Eagles gave up assets to secure a foundational piece, just as they did for Cooper DeJean two years ago. Trading up with the Cowboys for a Biletnikoff Award winner worked out pretty well last time. We will see if history repeats itself with Makai Lemon.
DeVonta Smith is the winner of the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s best WR. pic.twitter.com/Wm9ozVeeMl
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 8, 2021
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Great Value: New Eagles WR Makai Lemon never fell beyond the 16th pick in mock drafts