Getty
Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner from LSU, was selected No. 2 overall by the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Washington Commanders have been extremely proactive throughout the first month of the NFL Free Agency period. Washington has re-signed 12 existing free agents to new contracts and signed 12 additional players. All these moves have helped them address many of their roster needs. Finding another receiving option behind Terry McLaurin now remains as one of the team’s only and biggest needs. The Commanders recently posted a mock draft result across their social media that could hint at their first-round target in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Gordon McGuinness of Pro Football Focus has the Commanders selecting USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with their seventh overall selection.
“More weapons for quarterback Jayden Daniels can’t be a bad thing,” McGuinness wrote. “Lemon, the first wide receiver off the board in this mock, earned an elite 91.4 PFF receiving grade in 2025, placing him first among 432 qualifying college receivers. He also averaged 3.13 yards per route run (eighth best) and dropped just two catchable passes thrown his way.”
Lemon would certainly be a fan of this scenario, as he listed Jayden Daniels as one of the three quarterbacks he’d love to catch passes from in an interview at the NFL Scouting Combine.
While Lemon stated his interest in Washington, the team’s latest move appears to reciprocate that feeling.
Makai Lemon Poses Two Main Questions for the Commanders to Solve
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted on X that, “USC WR Makai Lemon, one of the Draft’s top players at his position, is working out for the Saints (Pick No. 8) today and has already worked out for the Commanders (Pick No. 7).”
Washington is certainly doing their due diligence on Lemon, but two main questions arise. The first is about how they would use him in their offense. While the Commanders do need a second receiving threat, Lemon doesn’t specifically fit that need.
GettyWide receiver Makai Lemon has recorded 137 receptions for 2,008 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, as well as 2 rushing touchdowns across three seasons at USC.
Commanders reporter Ben Standing stated on X, “Washington *needs* another outside receiver. That’s not Lemon, but he is electric with the ball. YAC machine.”
NFL Senior Writer Zach Selby broke down Lemon’s production, writing, “The Trojans put him all over the field, but he spent the majority of his time in the slot, where he could use his quickness, route running ability and patience to get open in the middle of the field. There were few players better than Lemon last season. He ranked fifth among FBS receivers in the slot, where he played 70.6% of his snaps, with a grade of 90.3, and quarterbacks had a passer rating of 109.8 when targeted — the fifth-best among any receiver.”
The question remains if Lemon’s elite production outweighs Washington’s need to get a boundary target. That problem would ultimately be up to the new offensive coordinator, David Blough, to solve.
The second question about Lemon is a bit more concerning and harder to answer.
Makai Lemon’s Controversial Interviews Are Tanking His Draft Stock
Following the 2025 college season, Lemon appeared to be poised for a first-round selection. However, throughout the offseason in preparation for the draft, he appears to have really hurt his draft stock.
Lemon initially went viral for his “confusing demeanor” in an interview during the 2026 Scouting Combine. Then rumors began to swirl about Lemon hurting his draft stock in other interviews with teams across the league. NFL Insider Breiden Fehoko reported on X, “I talked to a scout just now who said he didn’t know what Makai Lemon’s motive was behind his combine interviews but whoever advised the kid needs to be fired. Absolutely bombed it’ … word for word.”
Anthony Betss stated on X, “One team told me, ‘Great player, horrible attitude. What a disaster.’
The Commanders need to assess Lemon for themselves and see if his character fits their culture. Risk appears to be there, but it will be up to them to determine his value. Lemon’s upside would add an instant safety blanket target for Jayden Daniels, and ultimately, making sure he’s comfortable is the ultimate goal.
More Heavy on Commanders
Loading more stories
