USC WR Makai Lemon: 2026 NFL Draft profile, latest mock predictions

Makai Lemon made a name for himself in the Big Ten. The USC Trojans wide receiver was a yards after catch monster last season, leading to him taking home the Biletnikoff Award. After three solid years at Southern Cal, Lemon is ready to prove himself in the league.  

The first-team Associated Press All-American and All-Big Ten Conference player started 12 games last season. Lemon was named the Polynesian College Football Co-Player of the Year, ranking eighth in the FBS with 1,156 receiving yards (79 receptions, 14.6 yards per catch), tied for ninth with 11 receiving TDs.

Here’s a look at the latest NFL Draft projections and profile for Lemon.

Latest NFL Draft Projections

Jordan Reid (ESPN): No. 8, New Orleans Saints 

Mel Kiper (ESPN): No. 11, Miami Dolphins

Chad Reuter (NFL): No. 7, Washington Commanders 

Eric Edholm (NFL): No. 7, Washington Commanders

Makai Lemon NFL Draft Profile (NFL's Lance Zierlein)

"High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills. Lemon has room for refinement, but not much. He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels. Tempo-driven route-runner who misdirects man coverage and separates out of turns but is fairly average after the catch. Quicker than fast, featuring early acceleration to open seam throws but flashes late burst when needed.

"More play strength is needed for NFL press and he needs to avoid rushing through multi-breaking routes. He’s an exceptional ball-tracker with excellent catch timing and few focus drops. He wins more combat catches than he loses. Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside."

More college football news: 

• Jordon Hudson turns heads with 'barely there' rope dress at Maine charity event
• USC asked Heisman winner to unretire jersey several times: 'Absolutely f-ing not'
• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Steve Sarkisian blasts Ohio State players for not going to class
• Ohio State's Ryan Day faces backlash after NFL Combine