Tyler Shough gets more firepower, but from a different name at receiver than usual
You have to love mock draft season. Seriously, the amount of draft content and people committed to the process of putting themselves in a GM's shoes is astounding. The best part is: if the NFL Draft is a crapshoot for organizations, the people publishing mock drafts until the draft are playing roulette. Understanding needs for teams is half the battle. The other half is understanding which prospects are a fit for each need.
Jordyn Tyson has been a popular name attached to the New Orleans Saints at number eight, and for good reason. Tyson would be an incredible piece to add next to Chris Olave, and should Olave bolt in free agency, could take over as the number one receiver.
On many draft boards, Tyson is WR1. The New York Giants could be in line to add a receiver at their draft spot to pair with Malik Nabers and give John Harbaugh and Jaxson Dart some real firepower on offense. Carnell Tate of Ohio State will be sought after in the top ten.
Well, a new receiver has entered the chat for the New Orleans Saints. Gordon McGuiness of Pro Football Focus has released his latest mock draft and has the Saints selecting USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with pick number eight.
In this mock draft, the Giants walk away with Tate, and the Browns select Tyson right after.
McGuiness explains the pick:
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough showed enough in 2025 for the Saints to want to build around him with a playmaker like Lemon. 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 has the flexibility to play inside and outside. The USC receiver is a chess piece and a matchup nightmare.
Dame Parson of Bleacher Report highlights Lemon's strengths:
- Lemon is an in-space playmaker and dangerous with the ball. He excels after the catch, where his play strength and contact balance take center stage. Lemon has great spatial awareness for where defenders are around him after the catch. He makes defenders miss with good lateral agility and cuts.
- Lemon has a strong set of hands. He plucks the football out of the air and away from his frame. If the ball is in his area code/vicinity, he will be favored to bring it in. He is a savvy pass catcher who waits until the last second to attack the football as it descends.
- His toughness shines when he's asked to work in the middle of the field. Lemon does the dirty work in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He is fearless between the hashes and fights through contact for every available yard. He plays bigger than his size. He's an adequate run blocker as well and does not back down at the point of attack.
- He is a nuanced and savvy route-runner. Lemon attacks leverage aggressively, pushing the defender off their spot to create space for him to occupy. He sells routes with intentionally violent steps, plants, and cuts.
The good news for Saints fans is that they will have their choice of a day one impact receiver at pick number eight. There isn't a wrong pick with the top three receivers. Exciting times in New Orleans.