Drake Maye's next Patriots weapon is already becoming glaringly obvious

"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."

"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."

Drake Maye is performing at an elite level, but the Patriots lack consistent receiving weapons beyond Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry. Diggs offers quality production but is aging, and the roster needs younger pass catchers to sustain contender potential. Makai Lemon, a 5-foot-11 USC receiver, blends technical route work, lateral quickness, and zone awareness to find openings. He shows reliable hands and elite yards-after-catch production per PFF among receivers with at least 60 targets. Lemon can play slot or outside, is dangerous after the catch, and profiles as a precise playmaker similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown.

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