Suddenly, the idea that the New York Giants could use the 2026 NFL Draft’s No. 5 pick on a receiver doesn’t sound so ludicrous.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that the Giants are among the four teams that Lemon intends to visit within the coming weeks. Lemon spent last Thursday with the Chiefs, who hold the No. 9 pick.
Lemon, the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner, ranks among the top-3 consensus receivers in the coming draft, along with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon finished last year with 79 catches, 1,156 yards, and 11 all-purpose touchdowns.
The news isn’t too surprising, as Lemon previously confirmed that he met with the G-Men during the NFL Combine.
Taking Lemon at No. 5 would mark the second time in three years the Giants have used a top-10 pick on a receiver, following 2024’s selection of Malik Nabers at No. 6.
Makai Lemon would be a shocking pick by the Giants
Although Lemon is incredibly talented, him going at No. 5 is a strange idea we haven’t thought much about lately. We really aren’t seeing any of the three receivers — Lemon, Tate, or Tyson — going within the first five picks in recent mocks from credible outlets.
At this point, most mock drafts typically have Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese going No. 1 and No. 2 to the Raiders and Jets, respectively.
The Cardinals and Titans, who pick No. 3 and No. 4, are more varied in their suggested selections. However, they’re typically linked to defensive players or Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.
That’s not to say that Lemon would be a bad pick, especially as the Giants retool their offense under new head coach John Harbaugh. Jaxson Dart would certainly benefit from having another dynamic receiver, even more so if Nabers — who is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last September — can’t start the 2026 season on time.
Personally, I believe New York is better off targeting Mauigoa if he is still available at No. 5. The Giants desperately need offensive line help given Dart’s history of concussions, and the 6-foot-5, 329-pound Mauigoa was a three-year starter at right tackle for the Hurricanes.
There is also the possibility that Big Blue could, theoretically, trade down from No. 5 and pick Lemon later in the first round. However, there is no indication that the Giants plan to make such a move, perhaps in part because Mendoza is widely considered the only quarterback worth selecting in the first round.