The NFL has not only begun its offseason workouts, but in less than two weeks, the 2026 NFL Draft will be underway. Teams are actively rounding out their rosters and finalizing their draft boards.
Prospects have prepared for the draft since January. Most participated in scouting bowls, the combine, and their school’s pro days.
Advertisement
This year’s draft class features exceptional depth at wide receiver. Several prospects carry first-round grades, though teams will likely select many of them on Days 2 and 3 due to positional needs.
MORE: Top 2026 NFL Draft wide receiver visits AFC contender
One prospect with undeniable first-round talent is USC’s Makai Lemon. Many evaluators project him as a top-15 pick, and he has already completed multiple top-30 visits with NFL teams.
Advertisement
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California wideout Makai Lemon (WO29) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
The question surrounding Lemon is not which round he will be selected. Rather, it’s where he falls in the wide receiver hierarchy. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that teams view Lemon as the consensus WR3.
The identities of WR1 and WR2 remain up for debate. However, Lemon appears firmly established as, at minimum, the third-ranked wide receiver in this class.
Advertisement
His ranking aligns closely with many expert draft boards. Evaluators widely consider him a top-10 to top-15 talent with the potential to start from Day 1.
MORE: Eagles’ Dontayvion Wicks trade raises new questions about A.J. Brown future
Lemon’s strengths include his ability to create separation and his exceptional ball skills. He possesses some of the strongest hands in the draft.
Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) catches a pass during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
However, his lack of top-end burst may prevent him from separating himself from receivers ranked ahead of him. While he shows adequate straight-line speed, his acceleration after the catch takes time to develop.
Compared to a player like KC Concepcion, whom Lemon ranks ahead of, Lemon offers more reliable hands but lacks the same explosive burst. This doesn’t make him slow—it simply reflects a different acceleration profile.
With less than two weeks until the NFL Draft, teams must decide: are they too high, too low, or right on target with Lemon’s draft stock?