It’s looking like the New England Patriots found an absolute superstar in Drake Maye. The second-year quarterback is rolling through defenses this season, establishing himself as one of the top passers in the NFL.
But the Patriots are still facing a major problem. They’re severely lacking weapons to surround their star quarterback. Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry are passable options in the short term, but this team needs to invest real resources into some pass catchers if it’s going to return to contender status.
USC receiver Makai Lemon might be the perfect solution. The young wide out is rising up draft boards, and his fit with the Patriots couldn’t be clearer.
Makai Lemon could be Drake Maye’s next Patriots receiver
Since the end of the Tom Brady era, the Patriots have struggled to find a top-tier receiver. Through failed draft picks and bad contracts, they’ve tried and failed to secure a true weapon on the outside. Diggs has been a quality option so far this season, but at 31 years old, fans can’t expect him to produce for much longer. It’s time to take another swing early in the draft.
Lemon doesn’t jump off the page at first glance. He’s undersized at 5-foot-11, and he doesn’t have the blazing speed of some other prospects. But the USC wideout is a technician on the field.
He can operate in the slot or on the outside, using his lateral quickness and impressive feel for zone coverage to consistently find open space. The wide out has sure hands, rarely dropping passes that come his way. After the catch, he’s one of the most dangerous players in the country. Per PFF, he ranks first in the country in yards after catch per reception among receivers with at least 60 targets this year.
The Trojans often look to get him the ball quickly, and he does the rest. His play is reminiscent of Amon-Ra St. Brown in many ways, as he overcomes his lack of size and athleticism with precise movements and consistency.
Through seven games this season, Lemon is averaging over 100 receiving yards per game and has found the end zone seven times.
To support their new star quarterback, the Patriots must add an elite pass catcher. If they get the pairing right, the duo could dominate the AFC for years to come. It’s still early in the season, but Lemon is already looking like the best candidate.