With the 2025 NFL season in the rearview mirror, the draft order is officially locked in - and once again, the Los Angeles Rams are sitting in a position of strength. After a 12-5 campaign that ended just shy of a Super Bowl appearance, the Rams find themselves holding not one, but two first-round picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Their own pick sits at No. 29 (potentially No. 30 depending on final league adjustments), and they also own the No. 13 selection, courtesy of last year’s trade with the Atlanta Falcons.
For a team still firmly in win-now mode, that kind of draft capital opens up a world of possibilities. But beneath the surface of one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, there’s a growing sense that the wide receiver room - while still dangerous - is entering a transitional phase. And that’s where USC’s Makai Lemon enters the conversation.
Makai Lemon Could Be the Rams’ Next Big Move
According to ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid, the Rams are a strong candidate to use their earlier first-round selection on Lemon - a polished, NFL-ready wideout who just wrapped up a stellar junior season at USC.
Reid’s projection isn’t about panic. It’s about timing. With Matthew Stafford turning 38 in February and Davante Adams nearing the twilight of his prime, the Rams are looking to stay ahead of the curve rather than chase it.
“Davante Adams will turn 34 in December and is set to be a free agent following the 2026 season,” Reid noted. “So the Rams need to draft a receiver who’s ready to play immediately to maximize the championship window of quarterback Matthew Stafford.”
In other words, Lemon wouldn’t just be a depth piece - he’d be a plug-and-play contributor alongside Adams and breakout star Puka Nacua, forming a trio that could keep L.A.’s offense humming.
Davante Adams: Still Dangerous, But Signs of Wear
Adams remains one of the league’s most respected receivers, and he continued to be a focal point in the Rams’ passing attack after returning from a midseason hamstring injury. But if you dig a little deeper into the numbers, the signs of aging are starting to show.
Before the injury, Adams was catching over half his targets (52.6%) and scoring at a rate of 1.0 touchdown per game. After the injury?
That catch rate dipped to 44.0%, and his touchdown production dropped to 0.3 per game. Those are more than just statistical blips - they hint at a player who may be losing a step when it comes to separation and explosiveness, especially in high-leverage moments.
To his credit, Adams looked more like his old self in the NFC Championship Game, showing flashes that he’s still capable of elite-level play when healthy. But with his age and contract situation looming, the Rams are clearly preparing for the next chapter.
Why Lemon Fits So Well in Sean McVay’s Offense
Makai Lemon isn’t just talented - he’s tailor-made for what Sean McVay wants in a receiver.
“He has a high-level understanding of how to win against all types of coverage and makes contested catches,” Reid said. “He had only one drop on 110 targets (79 catches), and his 21 forced missed tackles ranked 13th among FBS receivers.”
Lemon lined up primarily in the slot at USC, but he’s far from a one-dimensional player. He’s shown the versatility to move around the formation, which fits perfectly with McVay’s motion-heavy, matchup-hunting offense.
In 2025, Lemon racked up:
- 1,156 receiving yards (second in the Big Ten)
- 11 touchdowns (tied for fourth in the conference)
- 79 receptions
- A 90.8 PFF grade - fourth-highest among 676 qualifying wideouts
He earned First Team All-Big Ten honors, was named a First Team All-American by multiple outlets, and took home the 2025 Biletnikoff Award - USC’s first since Marqise Lee in 2012. Over his college career, Lemon totaled 137 catches for 2,008 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, plus two rushing scores.
Daniel Jeremiah: “It Would Almost Be Unfair”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah didn’t mince words when evaluating Lemon’s fit in L.A.
“The Rams value tough, rugged receivers who are also playmakers,” Jeremiah said. “It would almost be unfair to add Lemon to an offense that already includes Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.”
From an analytics perspective, Lemon checks every box. He led all Big Ten receivers in PFSN’s CFB Wide Receiver Impact Metric and finished No. 4 nationally with an 85.1 impact score. That’s a B-grade in their system - but on a curve that heavily favors NFL-ready traits.
He’d be joining what PFSN currently rates as the league’s top offense, with a 92.3 impact score (A-). Nacua leads all NFL wideouts with a 98.2 (A+), while Adams still grades out solidly at 74.2.
Tutu Atwell’s 2025 Season Adds Urgency
While Adams represents the long-term question, Tutu Atwell’s 2025 campaign raised more immediate concerns. Expected to be a key rotational piece, Atwell managed just six receptions in 10 games - with nearly half his total yardage coming on a single 88-yard play.
Outside that one flash, his impact was minimal. Whether it was injuries, a shrinking role in McVay’s evolving offense, or simply a mismatch in fit, Atwell’s $10 million salary didn’t align with his production. His inactive status for the NFC Championship Game spoke volumes - he’s no longer a central figure in the Rams’ offensive plans.
That lack of depth makes the case for a wide receiver even stronger. The Rams aren’t just looking for a future WR1 - they need someone who can contribute now, provide insurance against injury, and eventually take over the mantle from Adams.
Defense Still on the Radar, But Offense Is the Engine
That’s not to say the Rams are ignoring defense. Reid’s mock draft has them using their second first-rounder on Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell - a move that would help address a thin secondary.
But make no mistake: this team is built around its offense. With Stafford playing at an MVP finalist level, Nacua emerging as one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers, and the window still wide open, the priority is clear - keep the offense elite.
If the Rams do land Makai Lemon, it won’t just be a flashy pick. It’ll be a calculated move to extend their championship window, reload their receiver room, and give Stafford one more elite weapon in what could be his final seasons. Lemon wouldn’t just be a rookie addition - he’d be a bridge to the future, a depth solution, and a value pick all rolled into one.
And for a team that’s still very much in the hunt, that’s exactly the kind of move that could make all the difference.