USC Star Wide Receiver Makai Lemon Predicted to Be Drafted By Rams

USC star wide receiver Makai Lemon could be staying in Los Angeles after all.

Lemon, who won the 2025 Biletnikoff Award this season, is projected to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Jordan Reid predicted Lemon will land with the Los Angeles Rams as the franchise begins to prepare for the potential loss of veteran wide receiver Davante Adams after the 2026 season.

“Davante Adams will turn 34 in December and is set to be a free agent following the 2026 season, so the Rams need to draft a receiver who’s ready to play immediately to maximize the championship window of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who turns 38 in February. Lemon could jump right in to join Adams and Puka Nacua,” Reid wrote.

The Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship on Sunday, despite remaining a frontrunner to win the Super Bowl throughout the season.

Star quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Puka Nacua are finalists for AP’s NFL Most Valuable Player Award and NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, respectively. Acquiring a young talent like Lemon from the draft could help the Rams get back to the Super Bowl next season.

Lemon Was One of the Best Wide Receivers in the Nation

The All Big-Ten First-Team selection was one of the best wide receivers in the conference and nation this season. His 1,156 receiving yards and 79 receptions ranked second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith’s 1,243 yards and 87 receptions. 

Lemon was named a First Team All American by PFF, On3 and The Athletic for his performance this season. He became USC’s second Biletnikoff Award winner in December, with the Trojans’ first winner being All-American wide receiver Marqise Lee in 2012.

Lemon is projected to be a top draft pick this year. Reid predicted the Rams to take Lemon with the No. 13 pick of the 2026 draft. He worked well with All-Big Ten Third Team quarterback Jayden Maiava this season and could find that same connection with Stafford in his rookie NFL season.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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