Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Getty
Davante Adams #17 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Los Angeles Rams have been a surprising rumored suitor for some high-profile wide receivers, specifically A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles. With that has come questions regarding Davante Adams’ future, which could lead the Rams to Makai Lemon.
The 2026 draft is the next major event of the offseason, with the blockbuster stage of free agency now in the rearview and more economic signings taking place.
For the Rams, Lemon could be a solution now and Adams’ successor down the line.
Rams Projected to Draft Davante Adams Replacement
Makai Lemon, Los Angeles Rams
GettyMakai Lemon of the USC Trojans speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine.
Adams will turn 34 during the 2026 season, his second with the Rams after signing a two-year, $44 million contract. That means he will also be a free agent after this coming season, putting the Rams under at least some pressure to address the future, potentially with Lemon.
The Athletic’s Nate Atkins projected the Rams to select Lemon 13th overall, with the pick they received in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons during the 2025 draft.
Lemon would slot into a third wide receiver role now and replace Adams later.
“The Rams fill their biggest … need at wide receiver in Makai Lemon, who is fresh off a season with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns,” Atkins wrote in the article published on March 19. “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.”
Nacua is heading for an expensive contract extension, underscoring the Rams’ need to find younger, more cost-effective (i.e., cheaper) talent to fill out their roster. Adams’ age only hastens that need, but Lemon’s versatility could be the key to catching the Rams’ eye.
The Rams have already shown at least a cursory interest in Lemon, meeting with the California native and USC star at the combine.
There are questions about Lemon’s fit alongside Nacua, with their play styles viewed as similar.
However, they both can also fill every receiver role, which gives the Rams options for an offense that also figures to feature plenty of second-year tight end Terrance Ferguson operating as the de facto third receiver.
Rams Could Have Intriguing Options With 13th Pick
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
GettyJeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on after a game against the Pitt Panthers.
Atkins’ decision to project Lemon to the Rams was not clear-cut in the exercise, which notably required several receiver-needy teams pass on the wideout for other options.
“It was mighty tempting to go with Love for a Rams team obsessed with finding upgrades,” Atkins wrote. “But that would likely mean trading one of Kyren Williams or Blake Corum, and that’s harder to work out in a mock draft.”
Some projections have the Miami Dolphins drafting Lemon after trading Jaylen Waddle.
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm projected the Rams would select Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano 13th overall, with Miami selecting Lemon 11th.
The Rams have built out their roster to be prepared for any outcome in the draft when they come on the clock. That could include a trade back, which they did last offseason before selecting Ferguson in the second round and setting the stage for this offseason.