Wide Receiver Makai Lemon is Electric

I love me some Makai Lemon.

This USC wide receiver captured my attention on game film for the second-straight season.

He often lines up in the slot, but sometimes he’ll line up out wide.

Either way ⎯

He charges hard off the snap. He can really scoot.

Short (0-9 yards)

Intermediate (10-19 yards)

Deep (20+ yards)

He can do all that.

So, cornerbacks don’t really know what he’s going to do.

But he does.

That’s where the real fun begins.

What sets him apart?

Lemon plays the game like he loves it.

He has uncommon determination.

He’s not out there collecting a check.

Oh no, no, no…

Great concentration

That’s another thing that stands out ⎯

And I’m not into the “one-offs.”

Nope.

I’m looking for consistent traits, patterns, and tendencies that relate to what I’ve seen succeed in the NFL. I’m watching these college prospects through what I like to call “NFL colored glasses.”

With that said ⎯

I noticed it several times when Lemon demonstrated remarkable concentration.

• heavy traffic
• tight coverage
• pinned against the sidelines

Doesn’t matter.

Lemon looks the ball right into his hands.

YAC

This stands for “Yards after the catch,” and it’s something Lemon really excels at.

I think he’s the best YAC receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft.

I’m not just blowing hot air either.

Pro Football Focus ranked Lemon No. 11 in YAC in 2025 (502 yards).

And I’ll say this ⎯

Having a receiver who excels at YAC is super important in today’s NFL offensive play-scripting because much of it is built around the short-to-intermediate passing game.

That’s Lemon.

He competes as hard for the catch as he does for YAC.

Jack-of-all-trades element

Not only does Lemon offer an NFL offensive coordinator the flexibility of where he lines up in the traditional receiver spots pre-snap, but wait, there’s more…

USC also got Lemon involved a little in the run game with a few end-arounds, and even lined him up in the backfield a couple of times.

Heck, he even attempted a couple of passes and completed one for a touchdown against Oregon.

Lemon is also a legit punt and kick return specialist with his kind of desire and vision.

Biggest “drawback?”

• Non-traditional route running

He and the ball are one.

He and his quarterback are one.

This creates some “unique” looking route running that doesn’t look like it was cut right out of a traditional playbook.

A lot of the time, Lemon’s unique route-running style is a plus and helps him to find the space he needs to be able to make the catch, but there are other times when he doesn’t quite get enough depth, or he gets too much depth on a route, and a cornerback beats him to the spot.

NFL projection

I’m doing it ⎯

Lemon is my WR2 in the 2026 NFL Draft, behind Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.

He’s demonstrated an elite skill set consistently on film for two straight seasons.

#6 Makai Lemon 5-foot-11, 195 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2026 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First Round prospect as of February 7, 2026

Former NFL Scout Impressed by USC Receiver Makai Lemon (2024: 11 games evaluated)

2025 game film evaluated: Missouri State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Michigan State, Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa, Oregon, and UCLA (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Missed the first quarter of the UCLA game in 2025 for disciplinary reasons

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Explosive sparkplug. Plays with attitude. Strong frame. Aggressive nature. Decent speed. Short-area burst. Quick and sudden movements. Head fake creates separation. Some inconsistentcy creating separation. Ball magnet. Catches away from his body. Strong hands. Attacks the ball when it’s in the air. Dependable target. Good catch radius. Makes the tough catches. Works back toward the quarterback when he’s in trouble. Able to overcome a defender after the catch. Stiffarm. Clutch. Playmaker. Energy level is fueled by production. Get him the ball. Gets physical with defensive backs both as a receiver and as an above-average blocker.

Final words

Lemon moves the meter.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.