Saints predicted by Mel Kiper Jr. to draft 11-TD wide receiver for Tyler Shough originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New Orleans Saints are picking eighth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with that pick, they will have their pick of many of the top offensive skill players.
Jeremiyah Love, the top running back, could very easily make it to them at that pick to replace Alvin Kamara. But, based on value, the Saints might be better off taking a wide receiver.
And in a recent mock draft for ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that, at eighth overall, the Saints would take a USC wide receiver who had 11 receiving touchdowns in 2025 to give Tyler Shough a new top receiver to pair with Chris Olave.
Saints predicted to draft USC 11-TD WR 8th overall
"I had Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson to New Orleans in my first mock draft," Kiper writes, "and though I'm sticking with the same position, I'm going with Lemon this time around."
Makai Lemon is a fun wide receiver prospect, as the USC receiver had 11 touchdowns and 1,156 receiving yards last season.
Adding him to the Saints' wide receiver room with Olave and Devaughn Vele would give Shough three great receivers for the 2026 season.
Lemon is a great receiver option for the Saints in this draft class, and while Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson are also solid options, Lemon brings some intrigue to the WR room.
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As Kiper notes, "He attacks the ball in the air and would be a productive player for Shough after amassing 1,156 yards in 2025."
Lemon had the 11th most receptions (79), eighth most receiving yards (1,156), and ninth most receiving touchdowns (11) during the 2025 season among college wide receivers.
Adding Lemon to this wide receiver room would be a great move for the Saints in the 2026 NFL Draft. There are good odds he makes it to the Saints pick as well.
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