Makai Lemon
Getty
An analyst believes the Rams will go with an offensive player in the first round of the 2026 Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs are now major players in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Following their trade of star cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs now own nine selections in this year’s draft, including two in the first round. That gives them more flexibility with how they use their picks.
They could even package some of those picks and make a trade for a proven NFL veteran. Kansas City has several roster holes at different position groups throughout its roster to fill, and need some fresh, impact players on both sides of the ball.
Among those positions is wide receiver, which has been in disarray over the past few years. In 2025 the Chiefs believed that once they got Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and Xavier Worthy all on the field at the same time their issues would be solved, but that wasn’t the case.
Kansas City once again needs to address wide receiver in a big way in 2026. It needs not only quality depth, but someone who could emerge as the team’s top pass catching option. The folks over at Pro Football Focus recently made an enticing case for that guy being Makai Lemon, who is one of the top wide receiver prospects in this year’s draft.
USC WR Makai Lemon Could Be Perfect Fit for Kansas City Chiefs
PFF revealed their grades for how every top wide receiver prospect fared on deep passes last season, and Lemon came in as the highest.
“Lemon does not have elite size, but he makes up for it with his ability to separate and glide down the field (79.8% separation rate in 2025). He earned a perfect 99.9 PFF receiving grade on targets of 20-plus yards last season. He led the class with 16 catches (tied) for 522 yards on those plays, generating a 147.1 passer rating when targeted.
“Lemon caught five touchdowns, averaged 6.8 yards after the catch per reception (ninth best) and secured five of seven contested targets. He paces the class with a 97.7 PFF receiving grade on deep targets over the past two seasons. In that span, he caught 24 of 42 targets for 790 yards (fourth most) and six touchdowns.”
It is a very real possibility that Lemon is available when the Chiefs hit the clock with the ninth overall pick. Carnell Tate is the consensus top wide receiver prospect in the draft, but Lemon is not far behind. Lemon also fits the bill for what Kansas City typically likes in a receiver, fast and shifty.
Chiefs Need to Restore the Deep Threat
Xavier Worthy
GettyChiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy
The Chiefs haven’t had a reliable deep threat wide receiver since Tyreek Hill. Worthy and Tyquan Thornton have been at times, but not consistently. Pairing Lemon and Worthy together could open up Kansas City’s offense. Re-signing Thornton, who is set to become a free agent, would really give the downfield passing attack some juice.
As the Chiefs’ receiving corps stands now, Worthy is the only true deep threat. Rice can be occasionally, but his off-the-field issues have put his future into question. During his final season at USC, Lemon caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. If Tate and Lemon are both available when Kansas City picks, it will face a very difficult decision.