Chiefs Host Top WR Prospect Makai Lemon Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs brought in USC's Makai Lemon for a top-30 visit as they look to bolster their receiving corps.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:53pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in mid-catch, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying the explosive athleticism of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a wide receiver making a play, capturing the dynamic energy of the NFL draft's top receiving prospects.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Chiefs have hosted USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon on a top-30 visit ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Lemon is considered one of the top wide receiver prospects in this year's class after a breakout 2025 season where he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Chiefs are looking to add more firepower to their offense after missing the playoffs in 2025, and Lemon's speed and playmaking ability could be a good fit.

Why it matters

The Chiefs' offense has struggled to recapture the explosive form it had earlier in Patrick Mahomes' career, and the team is looking to surround him with more dynamic playmakers. Lemon could be that type of player, and the Chiefs are doing their due diligence by bringing him in for a closer look ahead of the draft.

The details

Lemon enjoyed a standout 2025 season at USC, earning All-American honors after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is considered one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 draft class due to his speed and ability to make plays downfield. The Chiefs, who hold the 9th overall pick, feel they need to add more firepower to their offense after missing the playoffs in 2025.

  • The Chiefs hosted Makai Lemon on a top-30 visit earlier this week.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

Makai Lemon

A wide receiver from the University of Southern California who is considered one of the top prospects at his position in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs who is looking to lead his team back to the playoffs after they missed out in 2025.

Eric Bieniemy

The offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, who returned to the team this offseason after previously leaving to become a head coach elsewhere.

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What they’re saying

“'USC WR Makai Lemon spent Thursday with the Chiefs on a Top 30 visit, source said. He's also slated to visit the Dolphins, Giants, Jets, and Commanders.'”

— Ian Rapoport, NFL Network Reporter

What’s next

The Chiefs will continue to evaluate Lemon and other top wide receiver prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which takes place from April 24-26. They will need to decide if Lemon is worth selecting with the 9th overall pick, or if they should target a different position of need.

The takeaway

The Chiefs' pursuit of Makai Lemon underscores their desire to rebuild their explosive offense around Patrick Mahomes. After missing the playoffs in 2025, the team is looking to surround its star quarterback with more dynamic playmakers, and Lemon's speed and big-play ability could make him an ideal fit in Kansas City.