In a rather down draft class, wide receiver is one of the few positions that is loaded with star power and could see multiple players chosen from the position inside the top 10 picks of this year’s NFL Draft.
One of the prizes at the position is USC standout Makai Lemon, who is drawing serious praise from those inside and around the NFL.
NFL Draft: Is Makai Lemon the next Amon-Ra St. Brown?
Dec 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates after a play during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Dec 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates after a play during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller believes Lemon compares favorably to Detroit Lions All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown.
“Lemon’s scouting report won’t contain platitudes about size, length or great track speed,” Miller writes for ESPN. “Instead, he stands out due to his production (79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season), polish in the slot and ability to create space and accumulate targets across the middle. He is agile and tough, knows how to vary his routes and wins with tempo over pure speed — very similar to former Trojan St. Brown. Some teams will see him as a scheme-specific fit, but St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba give Lemon a template for NFL success.”
Miller lists Lemon as the No. 8 overall prospect, and top receiver on his big board.
Last season, at 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, Lemon caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns while powering the Trojans’ offense.
While St. Brown might be the natural comp, Miller isn’t alone in thinking that Lemon’s ceiling could be Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
“We like Lemon a lot,” an AFC Personnel Executive recently told Between The Hashmarks. “Especially as a slot receiver, but he’s a combo who can also play the Z. He’s in a similar mold to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.”