Rams' top draft target might perform himself out of range at NFL Combine

Makai Lemon is a draft prospect Los Angeles Rams fans should know, if they don't already. The USC receiver turned in an excellent junior season, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and nine touchdowns. A versatile, savvy route-runner, Lemon would be a weapon for quarterback Matthew Stafford and the rest of the offense.

Right now, the receiver room doesn't have a clear third option behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Wide receiver could be a position the Rams address in the first round, making Lemon a top target. Unfortunately, plenty of other teams will be watching him closely at the NFL Combine.

Will the All-American pass-catcher be available when the Horns hit the clock with the 13th overall pick? Multiple mock drafts have given him to the Rams at No. 13 or the Ravens right after, but a strong combine performance could vault Lemon into the top 10. In fact, that's right where he is in Mel Kiper's latest mock for ESPN.

Lemon's stock could rise too high for LA's liking

Kiper has Lemon all the way up at No. 8, the New Orleans Saints' pick. Kansas City, which owns the ninth pick, is another team that could strike. Who else might be interested if Lemon shines in his workouts at the combine?

His dependability could appeal to a variety of offenses, not just Sean McVay's in Los Angeles. Strong hands make up for his lack of height at 5-foot-11; Lemon dropped only two of 108 targets last season, per Pro Football Focus. He is a skilled route-runner and a playmaker out of the slot.

When he's on the field, he produces. Despite logging only the 96th-most snaps in 2025, Lemon ranked 20th in targets, sixth in receiving yards, and ninth in touchdowns. His overall PFF grade of 90.8 ranked fourth in the nation among wide receivers.

He already established a high-level baseline of production in college, playing in perhaps the strongest conference, the Big Ten, in the FBS. At the NFL Combine, if he backs up his numbers and the Trojans film tape, Lemon might become too tempting a prospect to resist.

Sure, he'd be a big help to a 38-year-old Stafford, but for a young quarterback like the Saints' Tyler Shough, a ready-made playmaker would be a massive boon as well. The Chiefs could look to add another impact receiver for Patrick Mahomes, particularly with the availability issues of Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy atop the depth chart.

Lemon was already regarded as a top three wide receiver in the draft, if not top twoafter Ohio State's Carnell Tate. The Rams' competition for his services could only intensify after the combine. If General Manager Les Snead has his heart set on the former Trojans star, he may indeed have to trade up to get him.