Ravens predicted to add weapon for Lamar Jackson in first round of 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Baltimore Ravens will look to retool over the offseason, especially on the offensive end.
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The Ravens need to add more playmakers on offense around star quarterback Lamar Jackson, and they could address that early in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Ravens select USC WR Makai Lemon in 1st round of 2026 NFL mock draft
In his latest ’26 mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Ravens selecting USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the No. 14 overall pick to provide Jackson with another weapon In the passing attack.
Lemon is an impressive player. As a Junior for USC last season, he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a result of his productive play in 2025, he was named a Unanimous All-American and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, presented to the best wide receiver in college football.
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From Kiper:
“Lemon is one of my favorite prospects in this class. He attacks the ball in the air, and you can see his competitiveness in the way he plays the game. Like Zay Flowers, he’s on the smaller side at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. But also like Flowers, he still has inside-outside flexibility. Lemon went for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season, and that kind of production could help get Lamar Jackson back to MVP levels.”
Jackson had a down year in ’25, so doing things to actively make his job easier – like drafting a stud receiver in the first round – could help him to bounce back next season.
In all, Baltimore will have 10 picks in the upcoming draft. If they don’t use their first pick on a receiver, they’ll almost assuredly select a receiver, or two, in later rounds.
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