An American football tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earned All-American honors, and was recognised as the top college tight end. He was the first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2006 NFL Draft, and has played for them since 2006.

Lewis was born in Los Alamitos, California. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, California, where he played high school football for the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits. In 2001, he competed in a nationally televised game against De La Salle of Concord, California. As a senior, Lewis was named as a Parade magazine high school All-American and was considered a top prospect by all major recruiting services.

Lewis attended UCLA, and played for the UCLA Bruins football team from 2002 to 2005. In 49 games with the Bruins, he started 32 times. He ranks ninth on the school's overall career-record receiving list and first among tight ends with 126 receptions, holding the UCLA tight end all-time records with 1,571 yards receiving and 21 touchdowns. As a senior in 2005, Lewis was a first-team All-Pacific-10 selection, a consensus first-team All-American, and won the John Mackey Award, given annually to the top tight end in college football.

Lewis was selected by the Jaguars with the 28th pick in the 2006 NFL draft. He played college football with Maurice Jones-Drew at UCLA who was also selected on the first day. In July 2006, Lewis signed a five-year, $7.5 million contract that included $4.8 million guaranteed. Lewis was represented by NFL agent, James "Bus" Cook.

Lewis initially did not live up to expectations in terms of pass catching ability with 91 receptions through three seasons. However, he impressed coaches with his blocking ability. He was often used as a blocker during the 2008 NFL season due in part to an injured offensive line. Lewis has been active in his hometown community of Long Beach, California.

In 2010, Lewis matched the Jaguars single season touchdown receptions record with a total of 10 and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. He had previously been named as an alternate for the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Due in part to the possible NFL lockout in 2011 the Jaguars placed the franchise tag on Lewis on February 24, 2011. On August 5, after a short training camp hold out, Lewis signed a five-year contract reportedly worth about $35 million ($17 million guaranteed).