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Adam Schefter says stock falling for one of 49ers dream draft targets
TL;DR
Adam Schefter reports that USC wide receiver Makai Lemon's draft stock is falling, with some teams suggesting he may not go in the top 10 as previously expected. This decline could potentially allow the San Francisco 49ers to trade up and select him at No. 27.
It wouldn't be a surprise if the San Francisco 49ers are enamored with USC wide receiver and projected early first-round NFL draft pick Makai Lemon. It would be a surprise if Lemon fell all the way to No. 27, but ESPN's Adam Schefter offered some intriguing insight into Lemon's draft stock a little more than a week before the NFL draft.
Schefter on his podcast said that teams he has spoken to said Lemon is a player whose stock is starting to wane after some early in the draft process projected him to go inside the top 10.
"A couple of teams said Makai Lemon, the USC wide receiver," Schefter said. "I'm like, 'really?' 'Yeah, he's falling.'"
It's worth noting Lemon's stock likely wouldn't be dropping so much that the 49ers have a chance to swoop him and fill their huge need at WR with a top prospect at the position. However, a little bit of a slide could put him in range for San Francisco to trade up like they did for WR Brandon Aiyuk in the 2020 draft.
It's also worth noting that Schefter heard similar chatter about former University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan leading up to the 2025 draft. McMillan ended up going in the top 10.
"Last year, I heard something similar about Tetairoa McMillan," Schefter said. "I had a bunch of people talk about Tet McMillan, didn't love him around the draft, and then lo and behold right before the draft, I'm hearing that the Broncos and Sean Payton are interested. The 49ers and Kyle Shanahan are interested. And they don't even have the chance to get him because I think he went No. 9 to Carolina."
McMillan actually went eighth, three picks before the 49ers at No. 11, but Schefter's point stands. Just because a handful of teams are saying Lemon's stock is dipping doesn't necessarily mean he's due for a precipitous drop. Perhaps it just means another WR is projected ahead of him now. It could also be smokescreens from teams trying to limit his value. The 49ers could certainly be among them.
Either way, Lemon is a player who could help the 49ers fill one of their top two needs in this year's draft. They'll likely keep close tabs on him in case he slides, but it wouldn't be a surprise if for the second year in a row the 49ers never really have a chance to take the "falling" WR.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers draft picks: Makai Lemon's stock falling, per Adam Schefter
Q&A
Why is Makai Lemon's draft stock falling?
Makai Lemon's draft stock is falling due to feedback from teams indicating he may not be a top 10 pick as initially projected.
What are the implications of Lemon's stock drop for the San Francisco 49ers?
The decline in Lemon's stock could create an opportunity for the 49ers to trade up in the draft to select him, addressing their need for a wide receiver.
Where is Makai Lemon projected to be drafted now?
Makai Lemon is now projected to potentially fall to No. 27 in the draft, which is a significant drop from earlier expectations of a top 10 selection.