Peter Schrager gives ringing endorsement to Rams likely top Round 1 target

Weill they or won't they? The debate rages on over the Los Angeles Rams and whether or not the team will select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But the first consideration is whether or not he will even remain on the board? And of course, there is a growing concern that, due to a lack of NFL-ready quarterbacks in this rookie class, LA may entertain trading back.

It's the abundance of alternatives that lures fans into a tale of their own making. A what-if kaleidoscope story book. And yet, all roads right now seem to lead to USC's top wide receiver. Is Lemon the answer? ESPN NFL insider Peter Schager, someone who is perennially plugged into LA's strategy, doesn't hold back on endorsing Lemon as a solid fit for the Horns:

But will that matter? Just because a wallet is empty does not mean that a scratch card is a winner. 12 other NFL teams hold the opportunity to frustrate Los Angeles on draft day. But, will they?

Makai Lemon is not perfectly suited for all NFL teams

It's okay to be brutally honest right now. Not every rookie prospect is a solid fit for the LA Rams. Conversely, WR Makai Lemon is not perfectly suited for all NFL teams. Just as wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was viewed as an ideal fit for Los Angeles, he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL draft.

And yet, after two years of competing in the NFL, he has yet to break 1000 receiving yards in his career.

Matching prospects to schemes is very difficult. And yet no fan wants to openly admit that an elite player or prospect is just not well-suited for an NFL team. Still, facts are facts. Even Los Angeles struggles to fit all players into its scheme.

Tutu Atwell is just one example of those struggles.

Still, not all NFL general managers get it. A player who excelled in college is expected to transition seamlessly to the NFL. Many rookies fail to do so, and that often leads to a moniker of bust. But it's not all on the rookie. Sometimes, the front office miscalculates and fails to find the right fit. Other times, coaches fail to help a young player discover his ultimate potential.

There's nothing magical about the NFL. It's just a matter of fit. And as Peter Schrager explains so eloquently, Makai Lemon is what LA needs to add to the offense in this draft.

As always, thanks for reading.

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