NFL draft expert names Rams top draft target, and fans already love it

Imagine the Los Angeles Rams stepping up to the podium on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft and selecting USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Well, if you love that scenario, you will love what NFL Draft expert Justin Melo has been up to of late. Not only does he name Makai Lemon as LA's ideal round 1 selection, but then he doubles down by mocking him to Los Angeles as well.

Well, that has to make some fans happy, right?

General manager Les Snead has been focusing almost exclusively on the defense so far. Not only with free agency signings, but with extensions and that blockbuster trade as well. Of course, after years of spending less on defense than other NFL teams, cutting bigger checks was overdue.

Now, the team has to offset bigger paydays by infusing inexpensive talent into the offensive side of the football.

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon may not be a rock-bottom bargain, but he is a player capable of moving the needle on an offense that already was the top scoring unit in 2025. And with Lemon on board, the offense can realistically look to improve in 2026.

USC's Makai Lemon is a Rams type of rookie receiver

At 5-foot-11 and just 192 pounds, USC rookie receiver prospect Makai Lemon will not check the boxes for physicality. But he makes up for his lack of size with superhuman ball skills. He is projected as an elite slot receiver before he ever takes an NFL snap, so he will need to share the load with veteran wide receiver Puka Nacua.

But he is a toolsy receiver who arrives with a seasoned veteran's understanding of the position. And he will continue to expand his route running and moves, learning from Puka Nacua and veteran wide receiver Davante Adams.

His fit with Los Angeles starts with an amazing arsenal of receiver routes. And he, much like Adams, can create separation at the line of scrimmage without the subterfuge of pre-snap action or movement. While he won't bowl over defensive backs, his vice-like grip will win contested catches nearly every time. Best of all, he blocks like a tight end.

He is so intriguing that general manager Les Snead attended his Pro Day workout. That's not something that happens very frequently. But it does add more evidence that Los Angeles is weighing the opportunity to select Lemon in this draft very seriously.

Fans have made their interest to draft Makai Lemon known frequently on social media. If that's any indication of their hope for Lemon, then Justin Melo just added fuel to the fire.

As always, thanks for reading.