Getty
Makai Lemon of the USC Trojans speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine.
The Los Angeles Rams finished the 2025 season ranked first in total and scoring offense, and they could further bolster their claims as the NFL’s best attack with Makai Lemon.
The Rams have one of the best wide receiver duos in the game with Puka Nacua and 2025 free agent addition Davante Adams, but they lacked a consistent third option behind them this past season and will need to replace the former sooner rather than later.
Lemon could step up in a supporting role in 2026 and star alongside Nacua beyond that.
Rams Get Strong Words From Makai Lemon
GettyMakai Lemon #6 of the USC Trojans takes the field during a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Lemon spoke with the media on Friday during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, and he raised eyebrows when he noted that he met with the Rams, who own two first-round picks in the draft. One of those picks could certainly be used on Lemon, a Los Alamitos native.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted more playing strength and pacing during more complex routes.
Zierlein also added that there is “not much” room for refinement in the 5-foot-11, 195-pound wideout’s game.
“High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills. Lemon has room for refinement, but not much. He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels. Tempo-driven route-runner who misdirects man coverage and separates out of turns but is fairly average after the catch. Quicker than fast, featuring early acceleration to open seam throws but flashes late burst when needed,” Zierlein wrote.
“He’s an exceptional ball-tracker with excellent catch timing and few focus drops. He wins more combat catches than he loses. Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside.”
Lemon was a star for the USC Trojans. He finished the 2025 season with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions. He would be an immediate upgrade for the Rams.
That is, if he is still on the board when the Rams go on the clock in the draft.
Zierlein compared Lemon to Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown, another former Trojan who has blossomed into far more than was expected of him in the NFL. Lemon echoed that at the combine, noting that he relishes making an impact with and without the ball in his hands.
That kind of hard-nosed mentality in a player with such a tremendous upside is hard to pass on for any team.
Rams Projected to Select Makai Lemon
GettyMakai Lemon #6 of the USC Trojans runs a reverse during a win over the UCLA Bruins
ESPN’s Field Yates projected the Rams would double up on corners in his mock draft on February 11. His colleague, Mel Kiper Jr., projected a corner at 13, and then an offensive tackle with the 29th overall pick in his mock on February 24.
But ESPN’s Jordan Reid projected Lemon to the Rams with the 13th overall pick in his mock from January.
Reid noted Adams’ age (33), saying Lemon is “ready” to help “maximize” Stafford’s window.
“Lemon could jump right in to join Adams and Puka Nacua,” Reid wrote. “He has a high-level understanding of how to win against all types of coverage and makes contested catches. He had only one drop on 110 targets (79 catches), and his 21 forced missed tackles ranked 13th among FBS receivers.”
Reid added that while Lemon is widely viewed as a slot option, he “can play throughout the formation.” His positional versatility adds to his value and could further entice a team like the Rams into bringing him on. That is even when the receiver position is not their greatest need.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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