Makai Lemon

The Player

Lemon is a shorter-than-average receiver, but is thickly built, playing the majority of his 2025 snaps in the slot (464) compared to out wide (226). The main knock on his game is that he lacks elite height and doesn’t have a great catch radius. Otherwise, there’s so much to like. Lemon separates well versus both man and zone coverages. He has outstanding ball skills, the first defender almost never takes him down after the catch, and he’s highly adept at tracking the ball vertically.   

One of Lemon’s superpowers is how cleanly he catches the football. He had just one true drop in 2025. He’s an advanced route runner who adjusts smoothly on the move and does everything at full speed and under control. He has no wasted motion coming in and out of breaks or while transitioning upfield after the catch. In his college career, he posted 3-plus yards per route run versus both man and zone. Only five other receivers drafted since 2021 have done the same: Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Miami’s Jaylen Waddle and D’Wayne Eskridge, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, and Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith. 

Lemon’s a tough nut, man! His tape is littered with contested catches, missed tackles, and big moments. He has value as a return specialist, as well, averaging 27.2 yards per kickoff return in 2024 and 12 yards per punt return in 2025.

The Draft

Lemon isn’t the biggest nor the fastest in a strong 2026 wide receiver class, but he’s still one of the best. I give him a Round 1 grade all day long. 

The Projection

Lemon is an immediate impact starter as a slot receiver who will soon grow into a more versatile outside-in role. His ceiling is Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown; the floor is Houston’s Jaylin Noel (who had a nice rookie season as a third-round pick, especially in the return game).