USC's Makai Lemon Projected as Top-10 NFL Draft Pick

ESPN's Matt Miller gives the Biletnikoff Award winner a high grade ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Fresh off a standout 2025 season where he won the Biletnikoff Award and earned unanimous All-American status, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has graded Lemon as the 8th overall prospect, praising his precise route running, excellent hands, and ability to generate yards after the catch.

Why it matters

Lemon's high draft projection cements his status as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft class. As a potential top-10 pick, he could be an immediate impact player for whichever NFL team selects him, potentially helping a championship contender like the Baltimore Ravens or Los Angeles Rams take the next step.

The details

In his 2025 season, Lemon caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns for the USC Trojans. Miller highlighted Lemon's efficient route running and reliable hands, noting he's had only 3 drops over the last two seasons. The draft analyst also compared Lemon's skill set to that of current NFL stars Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

  • Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award and earned unanimous All-American status in the 2025 season.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April/May 2026.

The players

Makai Lemon

A star wide receiver for the USC Trojans who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Matt Miller

An ESPN draft analyst who has graded Lemon as the 8th overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

A wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks whose playing style is compared to Lemon's.

Amon-Ra St. Brown

A wide receiver for the Detroit Lions and former USC star whose playing style is also compared to Lemon's.

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What they’re saying

“Miller credits Lemon as a precise route runner with excellent hands, as the USC wide receiver has only recorded three drops in the last two seasons for the Trojans.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN Draft Analyst (si.com)

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April/May 2026, where Makai Lemon is expected to be selected in the first round by a team looking to add a top-tier wide receiver prospect to their roster.

The takeaway

Makai Lemon's projected top-10 draft status highlights the continued pipeline of elite wide receiver talent coming out of USC, following in the footsteps of recent standouts like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Lemon's combination of precise route running, reliable hands, and ability to gain yards after the catch make him an enticing prospect for NFL teams seeking an immediate impact player at the wide receiver position.