Caden Handwork of Sports Illustrated says that Makai Lemon could change everything for the New Orleans Saints. One of the top receivers of his class, the former USC Trojan could provide the extra juice the Saints need.
This past season, Lemon had the best season of his career, gathering 79 receptions for 1,156 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. That not only led him to be a unanimous first-team All-American but also first-team All-Big 10 and the Fred Biletnikoff award winner. Showing the elite ability to get yards after the catch and to make contested catches, Lemon could fit in well with the offense in New Orleans.
He would also be another option for a blossoming Tyler Shough, who broke multiple franchise records and nearly won OROTY with only 11 starts under his belt. That was also through an ever-changing corps of players around him, with one of his star wide receivers being traded at the deadline.
Makai Lemon could open up the Saints' offense
Last season, the Saints didn't have much wide receiving depth. Outside of Chris Olave, who had a career year with 1,163 receiving yards, there wasn't a real WR2. The next New Orleans wide receiver with the most receiving yards was Rashid Shaheed, and he didn't even finish the season with the team. That's something that needs to change next year.
If selected, Makai Lemon could be that WR2 for the Saints. Even better, he could be the contested catch receiver that they've desperately needed ever since Michael Thomas left. His hands are scouted among the best of this class, and with that added on to his toe-drag-swag and elite ball tracking, the Saints offense could really be opened up.
What's good news for the Saints and certain members of the Who Dat Nation is that Makai Lemon could be drafted to New Orleans without the team having to move a muscle. Multiple mock drafts, including the most recent one by NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, indicate that Lemon is expected to be available when the Saints are on the clock at eight. The Saints could possibly get Lemon without moving a muscle.