USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has been a part of some elite offenses in Los Angeles. He understands the physical and mental requirements needed to dominate in a unit of that caliber.

In 2025, Lemon became an All-American on the strength of a 79-catch, 1,156-yard, and 11-touchdown season in his first year as the focal point of the Trojans’ offense. He also posted a respectable 764 yards the year prior.

Now, Lemon walks into Indianapolis as one of the best wide receivers coming out for the 2026 draft. Organizations like the New York Jets will have an interest in the 21-year-old thanks to his route-running ability, sure hands, and positive attitude.

It was that attitude that stood out during his availability on Friday.

Lemon shines in interview

Speaking with Lemon at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, easily the most impressive answer was his mindset regarding targets. Playing in an offense as loaded as USC’s, he understood he wasn’t always going to be the primary target on plays.

That selflessness will help him in pre-draft interviews. His mindset isn’t about posting big numbers; it’s about winning games at the highest level.

“You aren’t out there by yourself,” Lemon said. “You play for your teammates, and with team success comes individual success.

“Just playing for each other is the most important thing.”

Lemon has tried to model his game after Detroit Lions All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Both players attended Southern California, and both dominated in their own ways as quality route-runners.

St. Brown was a fourth-round pick in 2021. Lemon appears to be a lock for the first round this year. Still, the Los Alamitos, California, native understands the road was paved for him by those who came before.

“The type of grit he plays with, the kind of impact he can make on the team without the ball in his hands,” Lemon said when answering why he wants to model his game after St. Brown.

Lemon meets with Jets

Lemon described his meeting with the Jets as “smooth” on Friday. He also said the possibility of playing with a caliber performer like Garrett Wilson would be “cool.”

“The things I bring to the table, just a player that can do anything to the team,” Lemon said.

New York desperately needs to address their receiver room. The organization made multiple trades during the 2025 season to infuse the roster with younger talent, but the Jets will still be in the market for a wideout during the draft.

Currently, the Jets have Wilson as the star of the room and AD Mitchell, John Metchie, Arian Smith, and special teams ace Isaiah Williams bringing up the rear. Upgrades are needed across the board.

While Lemon’s 5-foot-11 frame doesn’t make him the kind of big-body wideout many people would expect the Jets to target, Gang Green needs players who can flat-out get open. It doesn’t matter how tall they are.

“The things I can do after the catch and my blocking,” Lemon said when discussing the best parts of his game. “The way I can impact the team even without the ball in my hands.”

Lemon’s selfless attitude, while still believing he’s a top receiver in the draft class, highlights his talent both on and off the field.

He would be an intriguing fit for the Jets with the 16th overall pick.

Makai Lemon draft profile

There may not be a better route-runner coming out of the NFL draft this year. Lemon has a strong feel for getting in and out of cuts and the kind of breakaway speed to turn a three-yard catch into a big play.

Lemon also happens to have some of the best hands in his class.

The big question surrounding the USC product is where he’ll line up. St. Brown is a safe NFL comparison, but it also could mean Lemon would need to work exclusively out of the slot.

New York has Wilson as a true No. 1 receiver, but some of his best work can be seen operating from the slot. That could leave the Jets in a bit of a pickle when it comes to finding the right fit for Lemon.

But those same conversations were had about Justin Jefferson before he became one of the best receivers in the NFL. In fact, many teams decided not to draft Jefferson because they believed him to be too reliant on the slot.

Lemon may be in a similar boat. Just because he worked primarily from the inside during his college career, it doesn’t mean he won’t be an effective outside receiver in the NFL.

That will be New York’s call to make—if he is even available at No. 16, that is.

Reporting from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind.