Analyst projects high ceiling for Makai Lemon in prospect rankings

During NFL draft time, a lot of projections get placed on players. Usually, experts try their hardest to place a ceiling on a player. Recently, the big talk is that USC's Makai Lemon is going to be just a slot receiver. Some experts run with that opinion and double down on it; others dive deeper into the tape and have a much higher prediction for Lemon. In a recently released article, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz with USA TODAY Sports lists his top 100 prospects in the NFL draft. Trojan receiver Makai Lemon comes in at #10 and is ranked as the second-best receiver. This is what Middlehurst-Schwartz had to say about Lemon:

"In an earlier era, Lemon might have been dismissed as a slot receiver not capable of being an offensive focal point. Now, however, there shouldn't be much doubt about how much the Biletnikoff Award winner can shoulder. Lemon is a maestro when it comes to getting open underneath, and he can be counted on to vacuum up any throw that approaches his area. And teams that underestimate his downfield credentials could end up paying if they try to sit on short and intermediate throws."

Rightfully so, Middlehurst-Schwartz is higher than most on Makai Lemon. The tape and the skillset of Makai Lemon do it all, not just a slot receiver. Makai Lemon could line up on the outside and make plays just like an outside receiver. He can make contested catches, and he can jump up and get 50-50 balls. The weapon he is after the catch makes him even more dangerous. The ceiling is very high for a player of Makai Lemon's caliber.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: NFL draft analyst - Makai Lemon has higher ceiling than projections