In a somewhat under the radar move from late last week, the Miami Dolphins conducted a top-30 visit with Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon at the official USC Pro Day on March 12th. Lemon — a top pass catcher in this year’s selection process — would need to be selected by the Dolphins (if he were still available) at pick #11 in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is why most fans didn’t raise an eyebrow when the news broke last Thursday.
Last Thursday, the Miami Dolphins still employed wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Well, as we all know, yesterday, the Miami Dolphins traded the number #6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft — Waddle — to the Denver Broncos for a first round pick (30th overall), third round pick and fourth round pick in this year’s draft. They included their own fourth round pick in the return Denver received. As a result, the Dolphins are left with a wide receiver room that is bereft of top-end talent.
Suddenly, Miami taking Lemon at pick #11 becomes a more believable scenario.
Lemon played three seasons with the Trojans from 2023 through 2025. In that time, he totaled 137 receptions for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns — including a 79 catch, 1,156 yard season last year that also saw the wide receiver nab 11 touchdown receptions while winning the Biletnikoff Award given to the nation’s top wideout.
While at the NFL Combine, Lemon’s media availabilities rubbed some the wrong way, however NFL teams don’t seem to be dissuaded by the receiver’s strange demeanor. He has multiple top-30 visits with teams selecting inside the top-10 in April’s draft — the Washington Commanders (pick #7), Cleveland Browns (pick #6), and the Tennessee Titans (pick #4) amongst them.
Of course, there’s also the Jon-Eric Sullivan factor to consider as well. Coming from the Green Bay Packers — an organization that hadn’t used a first round pick on a wide receiver since 2002 until this past year when they selected Matthew Golden of Texas with the 23rd overall pick — will Sullivan depart from his Green Bay ways and provide new quarterback Malik Willis with a sorely needed offensive weapon early in the first round of the draft?
We will find out in just over one month when the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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