Makai Lemon — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

The Jets desperately need a WR2 to pair with Garrett Wilson. The 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner, Lemon ranked eighth in the FBS with 1,156 receiving yards and tied for ninth with 11 receiving TDs last season.

Despite his moderate size at 5-11, 192 pounds, Lemon's breakout season in 2025 launched him into conversation with Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate for the best receiver in this class. His hallmarks are his toughness, run-after-catch skills and strong hands. His catch radius is better than you'd expect for a player who is built more like a slot receiver, leading to 20 contested catches over the past two seasons.

For the Jets, Lemon's firepower is necessary to take some attention away from Garrett Wilson. Outside of Wilson, no Jets receiver had over 30 receptions or 350 receiving yards in 2025.

They add to their receiver room, giving them a little more juice. We know that Davante Adams isn't a kid anymore, so why not get a young receiver to develop for the future?

It was mighty tempting to go with Love for a Rams team obsessed with finding upgrades. But that would likely mean trading one of Kyren Williams or Blake Corum, and that's harder to work out in a mock draft. So the Rams fill their biggest actual need at wide receiver in Makai Lemon, who is fresh off a season with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lemon appears ready to assume a strong Year 1 role as a receiver and a blocker before elevating to replace Davante Adams as the Robin to Puka Nacua's Batman in Year 2. — Nate Atkins

Waddle's departure leaves a massive hole in the Fins' passing game. Malik Washington, who had 46 catches for 317 yards in 2025, is currently Miami's nominal WR1. Free agency additions Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell round out the depth chart, but neither has shown the capability to be the No. 1 guy. Lemon would have been worthy of consideration here on merit after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 TDs during his final college season. A slot machine extraordinaire, he'd immediately provide new Miami QB Malik Willis with a high-volume target — and, given the widespread comparisons Lemon draws to fellow former Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown, might also be the kind of culture influencer a rebuilding organization badly needs.

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Rams were in on trade discussions for Eagles star A.J. Brown, which points to their desire to add at receiver. Lemon has the characteristics they covet in wideouts, with toughness, strong hands and the ability to pick up yards after the catch.

I'm a huge fan of Lemon, and he could go earlier than 24th. The board just sort of fell this way in this mock draft. Cleveland wouldn't be complaining, though. It currently has Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond atop its depth chart -- meaning no real changes to a wide receivers room that had a league-low 1,467 yards last season. Lemon nearly met that himself with 1,156 receiving yards over 12 games at USC. He has a slot receiver's build at 5-11 and 192 pounds, but he plays as if he's much bigger, with a fierce approach to the game. Coupled with Monroe Freeling at No. 6, this would be a good first round for the Browns.

Lemon is a great player in space. There isn't a player in this draft who has the feel for space like Lemon does. He operates in the middle of the field as well as anyone. He thrived for USC in that role, and he just understands football. He knows how to work coverage and is great with the ball in his hands.