Forget the overthinking. USC's Makai Lemon, an Amon-Ra St. Brown prototype, offers the chain-moving reliability the Saints desperately need to elevate Tyler Shough.
The New Orleans Saints are currently on a mission to reconstruct an identity for their offense under second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. While the free-agent signing of Travis Etienne Jr. was a splashy move that shores up the backfield, the looming question remains: who is going to consistently win on third-and-medium when Chris Olave is being bracketed by two defenders?
The answer might just walk into Airline Drive. Reports that the Saints are hosting USC wide receiver and 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner Makai Lemon for a "top 30" visit should be music to the ears of the Who Dat Nation. Simply put, the Saints should stop overthinking and draft Makai Lemon.
As posted by John Sigler of Saints Wire/USA Today, the Saints 30 visits to include Makai Lemon. "New Orleans Saints 30 visits reported so far: Louisville WR Chris Bell, USC WR Makai Lemon, LSU CB Mansoor Delane. We never get all 30 names, and the Saints don't always draft someone from that group. But worth keeping track anyway."
The "Amon-Ra" Prototype
Drafting a 5'11" receiver in the first round often gives old-school scouts pause, but the NFL has changed. Lemon isn't a "gadget" player. He is more of a technician player. Analysts have frequently compared him to the Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown, and for good reason.
- Elite Volume: Lemon hauled in 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
- The "YAC" King: He led the Big Ten in yards after catch (502) and ranked near the top in missed tackles forced.
- Fearless Intelligence: He understands how to manipulate zone coverage and isn't afraid to take a hit over the middle—a trait the Saints' offense has lacked since the prime years of Michael Thomas.
Why Lemon Over the Field?
There is plenty of buzz around Ohio State’s Carnell Tate or Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson at the No. 8 spot. Tate has the length, and Tyson has the vertical speed. But the Saints don't necessarily need another "Z" receiver to run deep clears; they need a chain-mover who creates an immediate "quarterback-friendly" environment for Shough.
Lemon’s 2025 PFF receiving grade of 91.4 (first among all qualifying FBS receivers) proves he is the most reliable hands-man in this class. In an NFC South that is increasingly decided by who can sustain long drives and stay on schedule, Lemon is the ultimate "safety blanket" with home-run potential.
My Two Pennies
The Saints have a history of value-hunting, sometimes to a fault. But with the 8th overall pick, they cannot afford a project. Hosting Lemon for an official visit signals that the front office recognizes the need for a polished, "plug-and-play" weapon.
If the Saints want to maximize Tyler Shough’s rookie-contract window and give this fan base the explosive, high-IQ offense it deserves, they shouldn't let Makai Lemon leave the building without a very clear understanding that New Orleans is his new home.