New York Jets: Host 2025 Biletnikoff Award Winner

According to Ian Rapoport, the Jets are slated to host USC Trojans’ wide receiver Makai Lemon for a 30-visit. He is a talented receiver who is an excellent route runner, deep threat, possesses strong hands and a low drop rate, and is a weapon after the catch. At around 192 pounds, which is generally considered undersized for the outside, Lemon is primarily considered a slot receiver, having lined up there on 76% of his college snaps.

Here’s a quick review of his CFB career

Makai Lemon committed to the USC Trojans as a four-star recruit for the 2023 season. He was buried in the depth chart as a true freshman, totaling just six receptions for 88 yards across nine games. He had a solid sophomore campaign, leading the team in receptions and yards with 52 receptions for 764 yards and three touchdowns across 12 games.

Makai Lemon had a breakout junior year, setting career highs, leading the team in receiving, finishing second in the Big 10 and eighth in the FBS in receiving yards. He caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns across 12 games, earning First-Team All-American and Big Ten honors, and won the Biletnikoff Award for most outstanding receiver. Lemon also posted two drops, gained 502 yards after the catch, and went 16 of 24 for 522 yards and five touchdowns on passes over 20 yards.

Here’s Lance Zierlein’s scouting report

“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.”

He projects that he will become an a good starter within his first two seasons. He also compared him to fellow USC alum Amon-Ra St. Brown.