Makai Lemon's Consistency Questioned by NFL Execs amid 2026 Draft Rumors, 'Didn't Test Great'

Even though Makai Lemon is in the discussion to be the top wide receiver off the board in the 2026 NFL draft class, people within the league reportedly have some questions about his ability to succeed at the next level.

One personnel executive told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Lemon "didn't test great" and expressed concern about his consistency based on the pre-draft evaluation process:

"What are you getting? I love that dude, watching him last year, but evaluating him through the spring, which version of this player will show up in my building? He didn't test great, had a couple of rough interviews from what I've been told. Seems like something is missing, or maybe I'm missing something."

There was a lot of discussion about Lemon's combine interviews. The Ringer's Todd McShay described Lemon's podium interview in Indianapolis as "flat-out weird" and said his team interviews "were not awesome."

Lemon also doesn't stand out from a physical perspective. He ranks between the ninth and 26th percentile in everything ranging from hand size, arm length and wingspan to height and weight. He ran the 40 in 4.50 seconds at USC's pro day.

It's worth noting that McShay, despite what he said teams were saying about Lemon, still regarded him very highly as a prospect because "his tape is that good."

B/R's NFL scouting department has Lemon ranked as the No. 12 overall prospect and third wide receiver, behind Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate. He is projected by B/R be selected by the New York Jets with the 16th pick.

Lemon won the 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver. He finished with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games for the Trojans.