NFL Draft Notebook: Makai Lemon surge is real as Falcons buzz around Branch heats up

The wide receiver class is starting to sort itself out, and there is a clear name gaining traction at the top. This week’s NFL Draft Notebook breaks down why Makai Lemon is trending toward being the first receiver off the board, while also highlighting a perfect scheme fit for Zachariah Branch in Atlanta.

There is also movement in the middle and late rounds at the position, with rising sleepers, injury concerns, and teams quietly doing their homework. Beyond wide receiver, this notebook dives into a rising running back, a potential Day 3 steal at corner, and several under-the-radar prospects gaining traction with NFL teams.

Starting to look like Makai Lemon will be WR1

It is starting to look like USC wide receiver Makai Lemon will be the top wide receiver off the board. A big indicator is that he will be visiting at least four teams with top ten picks prior to the 2026 NFL Draft: the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Commanders. If he is indeed the top wide receiver off the board, it makes sense because he is coming off an elite season, catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards while winning the Biletnikoff Award.

Branch a fit in Atlanta

One wide receiver I am higher on than others is Georgia’s Zachariah Branch. I like him because of his elite speed, as he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, and his ability to gain yards after contact, totaling 634 last season while setting a Georgia record with 81 receptions. The Atlanta Falcons are showing a lot of interest and could take him with the 48th overall pick.

Chiefs intrigued by local prospect

The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the thinnest wide receiver rooms in the NFL currently, which means they will likely address the position in the 2026 NFL Draft. One wide receiver they are bringing in for a look is local product Kevin Coleman, who played at Missouri last season. He is a quick receiver who would likely fit with the Chiefs as a slot receiver and punt returner. There is a chance Kansas City could get Coleman with one of their three fifth-round picks.

NFL Mocks sleeper wide receiver drawing interest

In our wide receiver preview, NFL Mocks named Trebor Pena as the biggest sleeper in the wide receiver class. Part of the reason is his elite production at Syracuse, where he led the ACC with 84 receptions, before transferring to Penn State last season. He is also an elusive receiver after the catch, averaging 6.6 yards after the catch last season. Teams showing interest in Pena include the New York Jets, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Injury concern with Eric McAlister 

According to Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister is battling a Jones fracture in his foot. This partly explains why he ran just a 4.56 40-yard dash at his pro day and could be a concern for NFL teams heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. When healthy, McAlister is a big-play threat, averaging 16.5 yards per catch last season on 72 receptions. I currently have a late Day Three grade on the TCU wideout.

Viking intrigued by sleeper pass rusher

The Minnesota Vikings are showing interest in former Wisconsin defensive end Mason Reiger, who was named NFL Mock’s biggest sleeper at the position. Reiger shows an impressive burst off the ball, and that speed paired with his length at 6-foot-5, 251 pounds helped him record five sacks last season. He would be a natural fit in the Vikings’ 3-4 defense, as his most natural position projects as an outside linebacker in that scheme.

Cowboys showing interest in SEC offensive guard

While the Dallas Cowboys won’t likely use a high draft pick on the offensive line, they will probably spend at least one of their three fifth-round picks on a lineman. One prospect they could target is Auburn offensive guard Jeremiah Wright, who offensive coordinator Klayton Adams had dinner with last week, according to Ryan Fowler. Wright is coming off a disappointing season, but he is one of the bigger guards in the 2026 NFL Draft at 6-foot-6, 331 pounds, and he routinely uses his size and strength to knock defenders off the ball.

Bears eyeing Alabama prospects

There is a good chance the Chicago Bears will draft a prospect from Alabama with one of their first- or second-round picks. It is pretty clear they have interest, as they were the only NFL team to send their GM to Alabama’s pro day. One prospect they could be targeting is LT Overton, who has the size and pure power to hold up in Dennis Allen’s defense.

Hype building around Emmett Johnson 

I have written about how high I am on Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson, even naming him as the running back I would stand on the table for. It sounds like NFL scouts have a similar opinion, as Sports Illustrated’s Arye Pulli reported he “spoke with a team scout yesterday who has Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson as their top-ranked RB in the class, assuming Jeremiyah Love will be unavailable when his team is on the clock.” The 2025 All-American brings great vision, elite versatility, and good contact balance, which should make him a Day Two pick.

Day 3 corner to watch

A cornerback who could fall to Day Three and be a great value is Duke’s Chandler Rivers. What makes Rivers such an intriguing prospect is his ability to make plays on the ball, totaling 24 pass breakups over the past two seasons while also being one of the more physical corners at the catch point. In addition, he is a force against the run and a real threat coming off the edge as a blitzer. One team that could be a possible fit for the Blue Devil defender is the Houston Texans.