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Makai Lemon Draft Profile  Makai Lemon Combine Results Makai Lemon Highlights

Makai Lemon’s evaluation is unusually clean. From high school dominance to a Biletnikoff-winning final season at USC, the production, film, and metrics all point to the same conclusion: This is an NFL-ready receiver with early-impact potential. 

There’s no mystery in how Lemon wins. His background and production provide a clear framework for projecting his NFL role and dynasty value.

Let’s break down Lemon’s background and production to determine his dynasty value.

Makai Lemon Dynasty Value

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Makai Lemon Draft Profile

Makai Lemon Combine Results

Makai Lemon College Stats

He Flashed NFL Upside Early

Lemon’s freshman season at La Mirada High School established him as a rare two-way talent. It sparked scholarship offers from the elite of college football, including Alabama, Tennessee, Florida State, and Georgia.

The move to Los Alamitos ahead of his sophomore year only amplified the profile. Lemon earned MaxPreps Preseason Sophomore Second-Team All-America honors while producing as both a receiver and a ball-hawking defender.

By the time he finished high school, the résumé was complete. Lemon posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, earned back-to-back All-America honors, and entered college as ESPN’s No. 13 overall recruit.

He initially committed to Oklahoma before following HC Lincoln Riley to USC, enrolling in spring 2023.

Slow Start Precedes Fast Rise

Lemon’s first collegiate season was mostly about waiting his turn. He ran just 45 routes while playing behind WRs Tahj Washington and Brenden Rice. But the departures of both in the 2024 NFL Draft opened a starting opportunity.

The production took a few weeks to follow. Lemon caught four passes for 45 yards through three games, then delivered a breakout against Rutgers: 

• 134 yards and a TD receiving
• plus 122 yards on three kick returns

After that, Lemon was the centerpiece. 

He led USC in catches and receiving yards and averaged 27.1 yards per kick return. Lemon ranked 15th nationally in yards per route run at 3.03.

That combination of role, efficiency, and explosiveness carried into 2025.

The Breakout That Locked in His Draft Stock

Lemon didn’t just produce in 2025; he dominated. The USC receiver earned unanimous first-team All-America honors and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top WR.

He averaged 96.3 yards per game and led all Power Four wide receivers with 1,156 regular-season yards.

The underlying metrics were just as loud: 

• posted the highest PFF receiving grade (91.4)
• tied for first with 50 first-down receptions
• ranked eighth in yards per route run (3.13) 
• finished 15th in yards after catch (502) without playing a bowl game
• rushed for two TDs and threw a 24-yard TD vs. Oregon

The week-to-week reliability stood out. Lemon produced a TD and/or 60+ yards in 11 of 12 games. Even a first-quarter suspension in his final appearance didn’t stop him from finding the end zone one last time.

Lemon declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 17 and skipped the Alamo Bowl against TCU.

Traits Built for the Next Level

Lemon looks built for immediate slot production in the NFL. The route running is precise, the hands are dependable, and the résumé supports early usage.

He’s one of only six receivers over the last five seasons to clear 3.0 yards per route against both man and zone coverage. The other names on that list matter. DeVonta Smith, Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba all went in Round 1.

The reliability shows up everywhere. Lemon dropped just four passes on 183 targets at USC.

At 5’11 and 195 pounds, he doesn’t win with size, but he wins with intent. Lemon attacks the middle of the field, wins contested targets (66.7% catch rate in 2025), and consistently creates after the catch. 

The film shows a receiver who understands leverage and coverage at a high level.

Makai Lemon Highlights 

Games Watched: Penn State (2024), Notre Dame (2024), Michigan (2025), Notre Dame (2025), Northwestern (2025), Iowa (2025), Oregon (2025), UCLA (2025)

Lemon’s elite film shows why he could be a top-10 pick.

Route Savvy Meets Tough Hands

Lemon works from the slot on this play and sells a streak up the seam. He then sharply cuts inside on a post, turning the CB around.

The pass comes in high and outside with a safety approaching. Lemon tracks the ball, leaps to make the catch, and takes a hit. He hangs on through contact with the ground, showcasing ball tracking and toughness.

Lemon Beats the Zone

The receiver explodes off the line past the LB in zone coverage in this clip. He reads the deep safety and CB and runs an out route at the perfect depth against the zone.

Lemon turns back to anticipate the pass, but it is thrown behind him. He stops, turns around, and makes a leaping catch. He stays on his feet and turns upfield for a few extra yards.

Lemon shows a natural ability to consistently find holes in zone coverage on film.

Outmuscles DBs at the Catch Point

Lemon gets pressed off the line on this play and fights through contact. He turns back toward the football while hand-fighting with the nickel.

The CB focuses more on Lemon than the ball. Lemon waits until the last moment to jump, creating a clean high-point where he brings the ball in for a TD.

Despite his frame, Lemon creates separation with physicality. His ability to manipulate the CB shows up throughout his film.

Wanna Add Danger to Your Screen Game?

Lemon comes off the line and briefly sells a deeper route on this play to keep the CB backed off, then he transitions to the screen.

Lemon times it to catch the ball in stride and cuts inside the defense. He identifies an angle to attack the secondary, accelerates to the third level, and attempts to leap over the safety to add a few extra yards.

Lemon showcases versatility as a weapon who can gain yards in multiple ways.

Makai Lemon Team Fit: New York Jets

It’s hard to overstate how bad the Jets’ passing game was last season. New York finished last in the NFL in passing yards per game and TDs, and no wide receiver reached 400 yards.

Garrett Wilson led the team with 395 yards despite missing 10 games. Quarterback play was part of the problem, but the lack of pass-catching depth made everything harder. Fixing that is a clear priority for HC Aaron Glenn.

Frank Reich’s hire as OC could matter for Lemon. Reich’s have commonly featured slot receivers. Eddie Royal, Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, and Adam Thielen all saw 90+ targets in that role. Even lesser slot guys Chester Rogers and Zach Pascal saw opportunity boosts with Reich's Colts.

John Metchie, who logged the most slot snaps for the Jets last season, is a restricted free agent. Lemon would be a major talent upgrade and could immediately step into a high-usage slot role, helping balance the offense and draw some attention away from Wilson.

The Jets control two first-round selections in 2026. They’re unlikely to spend the No. 2 pick on a receiver, but Pick 16 fits Lemon’s draft range.

Dynasty Value Conclusion: First-Round Slot Weapon with Long-Term Intrigue

The film, the production, and the metrics all say the same thing: This is an NFL-ready receiver. His projected draft capital points to early opportunity.

Lemon isn’t built like a prototypical outside receiver, but he doesn’t need to be. Elite hands, refined route running, and strong ball-tracking skills make him a high-volume slot weapon and a likely first-round pick.

Lemon is already pushing into WR1 territory in our 2026 dynasty rankings and sits slightly ahead of the next two rookie wide receivers.

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