Makai Lemon was not the only USC Pro Day receiver on Les Snead's radar

USC receiver Makai Lemon is justifiably among the favorites, if not the consensus first choice, for Los Angeles Rams fans ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. If the team can get him at No. 13 overall, or by trading up a few spots on Day 1, it's hard to imagine a more tantalizing fit for Sean McVay's offense.

But what if the Rams don't take a receiver early in the draft? Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling is another enticing first-rounder. Or maybe Lemon is off the board, and they decide to trade back. 

That could open the door to target a receiver in later rounds. General manager Les Snead might have a backup plan in mind after attending USC's Pro Day earlier this week, where he watched junior wideout Ja'Kobi Lane alongside Lemon. 

Lane isn't the top-end prospect his teammate is, but he put up impressive numbers as USC's second option. And Los Angeles has a fine eye for a bargain, something that is difficult to find on Day 1 of an NFL draft.

Would Snead consider him in the third or fourth round? If he likes what he saw on Pro Day, he should. 

Ja'Kobi Lane is another USC receiver the Rams should monitor 

Per Pro Football Reference, Lane finished 2025 with 49 catches for 745 yards and four touchdowns, solid numbers behind a top-ranked target like Lemon. In addition, Pro Football Focus graded him 85th out of 678 receivers, making him an attractive prospect in the middle rounds. 

His production isn't the only reason he would appeal to the Rams' organization. Listed at 6-foot-4, 208 pounds, he fits the prototype of the large-breed receivers Snead and McVay are so fond of. Want to see how he performed? Click this link for his Pro Day footage.

Wide receivers Cooper Kupp. Puka Nacua and even Davante Adams are all at least 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. All are strong receivers who can outmuscle defensive backs for contested catches and run them over in the open field. 

That's not to say that Lane, ranked 108th on the NFL Mock Draft Database big board, is the next Nacua, the 177th overall pick in 2023. But at the college level, he used his size and strength to similar advantage. Large hands (10 ⅜ inches) and an impressive length (79.5-inch wing span) only give him an extra edge. 

Lemon, of course, is more highly favored for a reason. Shiftiness, route running, and sure-handedness are all traits in his favor. 

Due to his physical characteristics, though, Lane is intriguing as almost a hybrid wide receiver-tight end. Fans know McVay loves handing out blocking assignments to his wideouts. Lane would be able to do more than just chip-block blitzing DBs or linebackers. 

It's possible he never even peaked at USC, trailing Lemon in overall workload. There could be something extra to unlock in the hands of McVay and the Rams' coaching staff. 

The fact that Lane's consensus stock fell, from 55th in late November to where he sits now, projected midway through the fourth round, isn't a bad thing for Los Angeles. Even if Snead has to trade up from No. 125, Lane could be a value grab on Day 3. 

Now that the cornerback room is more secure, if he's feeling frisky, the Horns could even double dip at receiver by drafting both Lemon and Lane on separate days. 

That's not necessarily what they should do; Lemon is the Trojans' target that Snead must prioritize. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if he had his eye trained on Lane as well during USC Pro Day activities.