​PHILADELPHIA − When the Eagles decided to trade A.J. Brown, they came up with a multi-pronged plan to replace perhaps the most prolific wide receiver in Eagles history, especially during his unprecedented four-year run in Philadelphia.Clearly, no single player was going to replace Brown’s production. He had four straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving, including the two highest single-season totals in team history − 1,496 yards in 2022 and 1,456 yards in 2023.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut when the Eagles finally traded Brown to the New England Patriots on June 1, it was with a player in mind who could develop into a younger version of Brown. That is in large part why the Eagles drafted Makai Lemon in the first round of the draft on April 23.Buy Philadelphia Eagles ticketsThe Eagles did not draft Lemon to sit on the bench and learn from a veteran group of players in front of him. That has been the Eagles’ M.O. with many of their early-round picks for most of the past decade, whether it was linebacker Jihaad Campbell last season, edge rusher Jalyx Hunt in 2024, edge rusher Nolan Smith in 2023, or defensive tackle Jordan Davis and center Cam Jurgens in 2022.Certainly, there have been exceptions, such as cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in 2024, defensive tackle Jalen Carter in 2023, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith and left guard Landon Dickerson (drafted as a center) in 2021.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEAGLES MOST INTRIGUING TRACKER: Tracking Eagles 8 most intriguing players for boom or bust 2026 seasonLONG, HARD ROAD TO EAGLES: From Nigeria to Eagles, can No. 8 most intriguing be next Myles Garrett?The Eagles need Lemon to become another exception. But can he?That makes Lemon No. 7 in our 8 most intriguing Eagles players heading into training camp that begins July 28. It’s not necessarily the eight best players as much as it is a compilation of players who could determine the Eagles’ success or failure in 2026.1 / 17Week 1: Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m., Sept. 13, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver in college football last season, when he had 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns at Southern Cal. But Lemon didn’t play much right away as a freshman. In fact, he saw some action at cornerback.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut Lemon didn’t sulk, or more impressively in today’s college NIL/transfer environment, he didn’t leave USC. That impressed the Eagles.”He has tremendous confidence in his abilities,” Eagles GM Howie Roseman said. “I think adversity wasn’t going to deter him from going forward and achieving his goals. He wanted to do it (at USC). He’s a very determined guy. He’s got a great work ethic. He loves football, and I think all those things play out.”Of course, the Eagles don’t have much time to wait for a similar slow start. It certainly didn’t help that Lemon missed the