The 2026 NFL Draft is about to commence, which means we’ll finally figure out where some of the intriguing prospects are going to begin their careers at the next level. One of those enticing prospects is WR Makai Lemon out of USC.
After a strong finish to his collegiate career with the Trojans, Lemon figures to be one of the first wideouts off the board. With teams around the NFL always looking to strengthen their passing attack, it’s worth taking a look at what Lemon brings to a team.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, let’s discuss Lemon’s combine results, 2025 stats, NFL comparisons, and lay out his strengths and weaknesses before determining which team would be an ideal fit for his talents.
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2026 NFL Draft Profile: Makai Lemon Scouting Combine Results
Height: 5’11 1/8”
Weight: 192 pounds
Arm Length: 30 1/2”
Hand Span: 8 3/4”
Individual Drills: N/A
Although Lemon elected not to do any testing at the NFL Combine, he elected to run some drills at USC's pro day, highlighted by his 40-yard dash in the range of 4.48 to 4.53 seconds. Lemon did take measurements at the combine, and there weren’t any surprises in that department for the incoming rookie.
There could be teams that would prefer to see Lemon put on some weight or add strength to deal with NFL defensive backs.
Makai Lemon Stats at USC (2025)
2025 Receptions: 79
2025 Receiving Yards: 1,156
2025 Receiving Touchdowns: 11
2025 Rushing Stats: 9 rushing attempts, 4 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs
In his junior season at USC, Lemon emerged as an obvious go-to target in the offense, with the Trojan wideout achieving his first and only 1,000-yard campaign in college.
Across all three of his collegiate seasons, Lemon averaged at least 14.6 yards per reception, and he won the Biletnikoff Award in 2025, which is given to the most outstanding college receiver each year.
Makai Lemon NFL Comparisons
Makai Lemon’s Best NFL Comparisons:
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Parker Washington
- Khalil Shakir
- Doug Baldwin
Comparing Lemon to Jaxon Smith-Njigba is less about the talent and more about the slight movements both make in and out of their breaks. Plus, both have been labeled as slot-only archetypes coming out of college, though Lemon could also make the transition to the outside at some point — similar to JSN this past season with the Seattle Seahawks.
Since the pre-draft process began, Lemon has seen plenty of comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown due to both being slot-centric wideouts from USC. An ARSB-type player may be in the cards if Lemon can improve his strength.
Although I believe it’s a bit lazy to slap the JSN and ARSB comparisons on Lemon due to both of them being two of the premier receivers in the NFL, there are undoubtedly similarities in their games.
Parker Washington, Khalil Shakir, and Doug Baldwin are more realistic outcomes for Lemon at the NFL level. Washington is evolving into a reliable slot weapon for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Khalil Shakir is a sure-handed option out of the slot for the Buffalo Bills, and Doug Baldwin carved out a successful career doing a bit of everything at a solid level for the Seattle Seahawks.
Makai Lemon Scouting Report: Strengths and Weaknesses
Makai Lemon Strengths
- Strong understanding of coverages and how to make himself open
- Sturdy hands and plays bigger than his size in contested situations
- Quick burst on routes to generate separation
- A willing blocker
Makai Lemon Weaknesses
- More quick than fast
- Can struggle with press coverage at times
- Lack of size could be a problem in certain matchups
- Could improve in the yards-after-the-catch department
Similar to most receivers who do most of their damage out of the slot, Lemon’s ability to find zones in the defense is a positive trait. His feel for the game is very quarterback-friendly.
Lemon’s strong hands could help make up for some of his shortcomings. According to PFF, Lemon totaled only 3 drops across his 175 targets over the last two seasons, and he hauled in 10 of his 14 contested catches in 2025.
There were plenty of instances where Lemon flashed his route-running prowess at USC, and he can quickly cut in and out of breaks without giving up leverage.
Despite not being the biggest wideout, Lemon proved he’s a willing run blocker, so there’s a solid foundation to stay on the field for every snap.
On the other hand, Lemon can sometimes struggle when defenders get physical and put their hands on him due to a lack of size.
Of course, the NFL has far more cornerbacks with a blend of size and speed, so it’s fair to question if Lemon needs an adjustment period.
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Makai Lemon NFL Draft Predictions and Best Fit
Los Angeles Rams – Round 1, Pick 13
Not too long ago, it seemed like a given that Lemon would be, at worst, the second or third wide receiver taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, despite there being plenty of receiver-needy teams selecting early in the first round, “Yes” for Lemon to be the third receiver drafted now has a 1.72x payout, via PrizePicks Team Picks. Washington WR Denzel Boston is now holding a 1.63x payout on “Yes” in the same category.
There are a handful of teams that would make sense as a landing spot for Lemon, including the New York Giants, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, and Carolina Panthers. Of those teams, the Rams would be an ideal fit for the USC product. Here's a list of payouts for which team will draft Makai Lemon on PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Yes 2.38x | No N/A
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Yes 3.03x | No N/A
- Buffalo Bills: Yes 3.03x | No N/A
- Los Angeles Rams: Yes 3.22x | No 1.28x
- Miami Dolphins: Yes 4x | No 1.2x
- Los Angeles Chargers: Yes 4x | No N/A
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Although the Rams could be best served by drafting a long-term replacement for Davante Adams on the outside, it’s tough to question Lemon’s fit out of the slot in a Sean McVay offense that is in win-now mode.
Selecting Lemon would give Los Angeles much-needed depth alongside Adams and Puka Nacua, who both have dealt with injuries recently. Lemon’s ability to work the middle of the field and make plays out of the slot would pair well with Matthew Stafford, too.
Make Makai Lemon predictions for real money on PrizePicks.
Make 2026 NFL Draft Picks on PrizePicks
There is a bit of uncertainty about where Lemon could land in the 2026 NFL Draft, partially fueled by the rise of Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson. That being said, the USC pass catcher still seems primed to hear his name called in the first round on Thursday, April 23.
Don’t wait until draft night — make your 2026 NFL Draft picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
On PrizePicks Team Picks, the possibilities are plentiful. You can make predictions on specific 2026 NFL Draft picks, team selections, position groups, and more. Additionally, the NFL tab is already open with Super Bowl LXI winner picks available.
Stick around on the Playbook for continued NFL Draft predictions, picks, news, and analysis through the 2026 NFL Draft.
