With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching in less than two months, emerging talent is preparing to enter the league and shift team dynamics significantly. One standout wide receiver prospect expected to be a first-round pick is Makai Lemon from USC, who models much of his game after Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown, demonstrating the influence St. Brown holds for the next generation of receivers.
Makai Lemon Draws Inspiration from Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown
Makai Lemon, the 2025 winner of the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top wide receiver, has shown immense promise heading into the draft. When asked at the 2026 NFL Combine which current NFL player influences his style, Lemon named Amon-Ra St. Brown without hesitation, highlighting the grit and intangible team contributions that define St. Brown’s impact.
“The type of grit he plays with. The way he can have a positive impact on the team without the ball in his hands.”
— Makai Lemon, USC wide receiver prospect
Lemon aspires to replicate St. Brown’s ability to energize and elevate an offense, aiming to be a dependable weapon for whichever franchise drafts him in April.
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Collegiate and Professional Success
Selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft (112th overall), Amon-Ra St. Brown also attended USC, where he built a strong foundation. During his college career, he amassed 2,270 receiving yards on 178 catches, scored 16 touchdowns, and added 69 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown, establishing himself as a versatile offensive threat.
St. Brown’s consistent production and competitive mentality have made him a cornerstone of the Lions’ offense, regularly impacting games through both receptions and his work off the ball.
Makai Lemon’s First-Round Projection and Expert Praise
NFL analyst Mel Kiper recently ranked Lemon highly among draft prospects, expressing strong admiration for his playing style and competitive toughness. Kiper emphasized Lemon’s aggressiveness and ability to make plays as reasons he would personally want him on any roster.
“This kid is a warrior who plays with passion,”
“I’d want Lemon on my roster. He snatches the ball away from his body in an attacking manner then runs with a fierce approach after the catch. He is one of my favorite players in the class, and he ranked third in the nation in receiving yards per game in 2025.”
— Mel Kiper, NFL Insider
Lance Zierlein, an NFL Draft insider, also provided an in-depth evaluation of Lemon, highlighting his skills as a high-volume slot receiver and his readiness to compete at the professional level.
“High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills,”
“Lemon has room for refinement, but not much. He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels. Tempo-driven route-runner who misdirects man coverage and separates out of turns but is fairly average after the catch. Quicker than fast, featuring early acceleration to open seam throws but flashes late burst when needed. More play strength is needed for NFL press and he needs to avoid rushing through multi-breaking routes. He’s an exceptional ball-tracker with excellent catch timing and few focus drops. He wins more combat catches than he loses. Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside.”
— Lance Zierlein, NFL Draft Insider
Implications for the 2026 NFL Draft and Beyond
The 2026 NFL Draft, set for April 23, will showcase Makai Lemon among other top players vying to make an immediate NFL impact. Lemon’s alignment with Amon-Ra St. Brown’s playing style suggests he could fit seamlessly into a team looking for a relentless and versatile wide receiver. His first-round projection reflects the excitement surrounding his potential to shape a team’s offensive future, much like St. Brown has done for the Detroit Lions.
USC WR Makai Lemon on who he models his game after and looks up to in the NFL pic.twitter.com/ZozjmE65qj
— Bryce DeGroat (@NFL_Convo) February 27, 2026
