The 2026 NFL Draft holds a handful of wide receiver prospects projected to hear their name called in the first round, and how Day 1 of the draft shakes out is anyone's guess. USC's top wideout Makai Lemon is among those expected to land in the first 32 picks, with many analysts predicting him to land around the 15-20 range.
However, the Big-10 star could outpace that projection. According to NFL Draft reporter Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, Lemon has had seven Top-30 pre-draft visits scheduled thus far. Each franchise is limited to 30 official visits, as the name suggests, and a high correlation between the visits and prospects' eventual draft outcome often emerges.
Chance for top 10 selection?
According to Pauline, six of those teams are as follows: the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Rams. The main point of emphasis when examining these teams is their relative draft position, with four of them picking in the Top-10 (TEN, CLE, WAS, NO), and both of the remaining teams selecting in the Top-13 (MIA #11, LAR #13).
It's not the end-all, be-all of draft updates, but it's certainly a considerable one. The Titans at #4 are likely too early, but every other team remains solely in play for the former Trojan. Cleveland has been reported to be poking around the receiver market with a trade-back to select one possible avenue. Washington, with uncertainty about Terry McLaurin's future, could also be an option, as well as New Orleans, which is being viewed as a prime destination as they look to surround QB Tyler Shough with talent. Miami is in a similar position as the Commanders with trade rumors continuing to swirl around Jaylen Waddle, and Los Angeles has never shied away from adding luxury pieces.
The teams listed aren't the only places he could wind up being drafted by, but the combination of their high draft position and collective need to address the WR position is definitely notable regarding when the 5'11", 182-pounder gets taken in April. His unofficial 40-yard dash time at his March 12th USC Pro Day, ranging between a 4.48 and 4.53, while not elite, is fast enough to minimize any concerns about his top-end speed, making an early selection even more reasonable.
Lemon finished 8th in the nation in receiving in 2025, ending his junior campaign with over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions. He's a versatile weapon with elite toughness and ball tracking abilities, with the upside to become a premier target in the NFL. The Top 10 could end up being a stretch for him as the pre-draft process continues, but signs are beginning to point toward it becoming a legitimate reality.