Makai Lemon

Lemon will run the majority of his routes from the slot in the NFL, as he did in college (75.6% slot). His perimeter usage could depend on whether he's closer to the 2024 or 2025 version of his play. In 2024, Lemon was a more explosive player in all facets (off the line, in route, and after the catch). He wasn't nearly as twitchy in 2025, which could be related to a preseason injury he sustained or possibly adding some weight prior to the 2025 season. We'll see what version of Lemon we get in the NFL, but if he's closer to the 2025 version of himself, he could be a slot-confined receiver. Lemon isn't a burner regardless of which season you're discussing. He's more quick than fast, though. He has the quick-twitch/short-area skills to produce with the ball in his hands after the catch. Lemon displays solid contact balance with the ability to break tackles and churn out yards with the ball. He has good vision in traffic as a runner. Lemon is a zone coverage Ginsu knife. He slices through zone with ease, with a firm understanding of finding space and pacing his routes well. Lemon's snap at the top of his routes can be good, but not amazing at times, which allows corners to undercut his routes. He has to clean up his technique in this area. Lemon's raw speed and the limitations in this area, and his route running, could limit him as a perimeter receiver and vertical threat. Lemon doesn't routinely stack defenders with vertical route concepts as he puts the emphasis upon his ability to win with back shoulder throws and at the catch point. Lemon is strong at the catch point with the ability to high point the ball while flashing late hands. He had a 66.7% contested catch rate in 2025. Lemon isn't a skyscraper, so despite the fact that he is strong at the catch point, his smaller catch radius could make it tough to live in a world in the NFL where he must dominate at the catch point. His hands are like vice grips, though, with a 2.8% drop rate in college (only four in college across 183 targets).