NFL Fantasy - The Athletic on Makai Lemon

ArticleDoes A.J. Brown trade put Drake Maye in fantasy football elite? There’s a caseCaptured July 6, 2026
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Lemon has the makings of an Amon-Ra St. Brown, and calling him only a 'short-to-intermediate, middle-of-the-field receiver' is disrespectful... That gives him WR3 value with WR2 upside.

STACKED’s take

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Makai Lemon projects as WR3 with WR2 upside; could exceed DeVonta Smith.

Lemon has the makings of an Amon-Ra St. Brown and should not be called only a 'short-to-intermediate, middle-of-the-field receiver.' Lemon was third among Power Four conferences for receptions of 20+ yards (19), showing he can play outside and go deep. Looking at the past two seasons, A.J. Brown averaged 132.4 targets for a 17-game pace while DeVonta Smith averaged 114.4; even if Lemon only gets Smith's targets, he's walking into 114 targets. That gives him WR3 value with WR2 upside. While Saquon Barkley would never predict it, Lemon finishing ahead of Smith wouldn't shock him.

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