A dynamic USC receiver could transform Tyler Shough's offense and boost the Saints' playoff aspirations.
The New Orleans Saints (5-10) have core pieces that could help contend for the postseason in the relatively near future. One mock draft could get the team closer to contention.
Pro Football Focus gave the Saints an exciting selection with the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The prediction sent USC Trojans football star Makai Lemon to New Orleans at wide receiver.
The publication described what the pick could mean for the Saints.
"Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has shown enough in 2025 for the Saints to want to build around him, so a playmaker like Lemon makes sense here. The USC star logged an 81.0 PFF receiving grade against man coverage, caught 66.7% of contested targets and dropped just 2.5% of the catchable targets thrown his way this season."
Lemon, a product of USC head coach Lincoln Riley's hybrid Air Raid offense, had an explosive season in 2025. Lemon recorded 79 catches for 1,156 yards, 11 touchdowns and a 14.6 yards per reception average. The Saints could certainly use a receiver of his caliber to play opposite star receiver Chris Olave.
The Saints are not necessarily only one player away from contention, but they may not be far off. The team has won three consecutive games on the strength of suffocating defense and timely offensive playmaking from Shough, Olave and others.
New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) smiles as he leaves the field after a game against the New York Jets at Caesars Superdome. Matthew Hinton-Imagn ImagesNew Orleans needs to improve on the offensive end, but they've been good enough to win of late. The Saints took down the New York Jets 29-6 when they last took the field.
The turn from 2-10 to winners of three consecutive games may not have happened overnight but something certainly clicked. In the process, the Saints went from an easy win on opposing schedules to a team that looks close to playoff caliber in a three-game sequence that saw them take down quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So, what does Lemon do for New Orleans if the Saints draft him and he lives up to potential? It could certainly lead to improved statistics for Shough. The second-round draft pick and starting signal caller has an elite completion percentage but has not put up the yards and touchdowns totals that would command elite respect. That all could change with Lemon.
There are several directions the Saints could go in 2025 with some leaning toward a defensive playmaking upgrade. We will monitor what the experts have New Orleans deciding as we get closer to the draft.