Summer Scouting flag plant: USC WR Makai Lemon
5-11, 195 pounds… highly energized mover that catches everything…
Caught fire during the 2H of his true sophomore season under Lincoln Riley. I’m expecting big things in 2025. pic.twitter.com/25qIhsoqtG
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) June 29, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs revitalized their wide receiver room over the past three years by drafting Rashee Rice, Jalen Royals and Xavier Worthy, but the team still lacks a premier top target. With Travis Kelce nearing the end of his career, the Chiefs should consider swinging for the fences at pass catcher in the 2026 NFL draft.
The USC Trojans have a strong wide receiver pipeline that produced Jordan Addison, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Drake London and Michael Pittman Jr. over the past six years. Two new pass catchers will join that esteemed group next spring. True junior wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon could emerge as two of the five best receivers in the 2026 NFL draft.
Unofficially listed at 6’4″, 195 lbs., Lane looks like your classic high school forward on the basketball team. He dominates at the catch point with his massive catch radius, elite body control and impressive ball tracking. Lane’s strong hands help him make acrobatic one-handed catches and draw extra defensive attention in the red zone.
Lane finished his sophomore year on a high note, crushing the Texas A&M Aggies with seven receptions for 127 yards and three touchdowns in the Las Vegas Bowl. Many analysts believe that breakout performance was just the start of Lane’s ascension to earning a first round selection.
While Lane is a surprisingly smooth route runner for his size and quickly covers ground with his long strides, he isn’t a natural separator. Roughly 34.8% of his targets in 2024 were contested, meaning he relies on winning in crowded air spaces. Lane needs to improve his route running to provide his quarterback with more open windows.
At 5’11”, 195 lbs., Lemon is the opposite of Lane. He’s an agile, explosive slot receiver with elite route running skills. Lemon showcases his quickness and long speed as a kick returner and vertical threat. He isn’t an elite speedster but is fast enough to stack cornerbacks downfield.
As a route runner, Lemon uses his sudden deceleration and elite change of direction to shake cornerbacks at the top of the route’s stem. His sharp cuts and understanding of leverage and angles make him a natural separator. He also thrives against zone coverage, easily locating and sitting in open space.
Lemon’s size is his most significant limitation. It causes him issues against physical cornerbacks and shrinks his catch radius. Unlike Lane, Lemon lacks the play strength to break tackle attempts. Fortunately, his vision and speed make him a threat after the catch.