The Eagles’ two most prominent rookies are already asking for something fans rarely love to give: time.
Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers have both opened their NFL journeys with some bumps, but Philadelphia’s front office is betting the long view will pay off. The talent is there. The early results have just been uneven.
Lemon’s start has been slowed by a hamstring injury, and he only returned to practice last week before dressing for the team’s preseason finale. The numbers from that game weren’t much to write home about - three catches for three yards on five targets - but the larger picture still points to real upside.
Lemon, the 2025 Belitnikoff winner out of USC, has already shown he can produce in a big way. Right now, though, the priority is simply getting him healthy, getting him more live reps with Jalen Hurts, and letting him settle into the offense.
Stowers is working through a different kind of learning curve. He has only been a tight end for three seasons after making the move from quarterback in 2023, and he really broke out last year at Vanderbilt.
His athletic profile jumps off the page for the position, which is exactly why Roseman and the scouting department are willing to wait. The challenge is obvious: blocking is the biggest area where he still needs work.
The upside, though, is just as obvious. Speed and movement skills like his don’t show up every day.
Philadelphia has also built the roster in a way that keeps either rookie from being forced into the spotlight too soon. Even without A.J.
Brown, the wide receiver group is loaded with options. Roseman spent the offseason adding Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore, all of whom can slot in behind DeVonta Smith.
Darius Cooper also looks ready to keep climbing and carve out a bigger role. That gives Lemon room to develop without being asked to carry the load immediately.
The same idea applies at tight end. Dallas Goedert sits atop the depth chart, with Johnny Mundt and E.J.
Jenkins behind him. That setup gives Stowers time to work through his own hamstring issues while sharpening the blocking part of his game.
It’s a setup built for patience, not panic.
The frustration from fans makes sense. High draft picks bring high expectations.
But in this case, the Eagles appear committed to letting the process unfold on its own terms. For Lemon and Stowers, that patience may end up being the difference between a rough first chapter and something much bigger down the line.
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