For the Washington Commanders, continuing to build an offense tailored around speed and playmaking around Jayden Daniels is good business. With David Blough now at the controls, where the offense will have an emphasis on creating mismatches and stressing defenses at all three levels, Washington profiles as a natural landing spot for a versatile wideout who can win both inside and out.
While No. 7 overall may be a bit rich, Makai Lemon’s blend of route-running polish, suddenness, and football intelligence would immediately raise the efficiency of the passing game and present a 1-2 combination alongside Terry McLaurin that would keep defenses up late at night.
Now, the question isn't whether Lemon fits the Commanders’ offensive identity, but how highly they value a receiver whose game is built on nuance and explosiveness at 5-foot-11.
Let's dive into the tape.
USC WR Makai Lemon 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes:
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 195 pounds
Expected 40 Yard Dash Time: 4.42–4.48 seconds
Recruiting: Four-star recruit. Top-100 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.
College Production: Productive multi-year contributor at USC. Primary slot receiver with expanded usage outside. Consistent chain-mover with strong yards-after-catch efficiency who totaled 1,156 receiving yards and 11 TDs in 2025 (junior year).
Positives:
- Advanced route runner with excellent tempo and pacing. Consistently creates separation at the top of routes.
- Quick-twitch athlete with outstanding short-area burst. Dangerous on option routes and crossers.
- Natural hands catcher who tracks the ball well through traffic.
- High-level football IQ who can find soft spots in zone coverage and adjust routes on the fly.
- Dynamic after the catch -- slippery runner who forces missed tackles in space.
- Can align in the slot, outside, and be used on jet motion and screens.
Lemon brings a skill set that translates cleanly to an NFL offense built around timing and spacing. His ability to win early in routes and provide consistent separation would give Washington a dependable target on key downs, and he projects as a high-volume receiver whose impact goes beyond raw box-score production.
Negatives:
- Lacks prototypical size and catch radius. May never be a true jump-ball threat depsite being a player that plays above his weight-class.
- Can be disrupted by physical press coverage when aligned outside.
-Top-end speed is good, not elite. More quick than fast.
- Not a dominant perimeter blocker. Effort is there, but play strength is average.
Lemon’s limitations are more about role than ability. He thrives in an offense that emphasizes spacing, pre-snap motion, and route detail. Teams expecting a traditional X receiver may undervalue him, but his reliability and separation skills should translate immediately.
Makai Lemon NFL Player Comparison: Amon-Ra St. Brown
While Lemon is slightly lighter, the comparison is rooted in route precision, toughness, and football intelligence. Both players win with timing, leverage, and consistency rather than elite size or vertical explosiveness.
Makai Lemon NFL Draft Grade: Top-25 Selection
Receivers who consistently separate and move the chains are increasingly valued in today’s NFL. Lemon may not test as a prototype, but his polish and versatility make him a strong first-round candidate. For Washington, he would project as a Day 1 contributor who elevates the passing game with reliability and nuance alongside McLaurin.