The Washington Commanders need another wide receiver. They acknowledged as much in the opening days of free agency by pursuing Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs. Pierce was the top free-agent receiver available and chose to remain with the Indianapolis Colts on a four-year deal worth $114 million. That's a lot of money for a receiver who has never caught more than 47 passes. And Washington would have been a favorite to land Pierce had he left Indianapolis.
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The Commanders eventually signed Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson. Neither is even guaranteed a spot on Washington's 53-man roster, although Brown has the better shot. The Commanders missed out on some top targets, but signed Brown and Jefferson to ensure there wasn't a repeat of last season, when they were elevating receivers from the practice squad each week.
It's safe to say that wide receiver remains a high priority for Washington entering the 2026 NFL Draft. They've met with several of the top prospects, including Carnell Tate (Ohio State, Makai Lemon (USC) and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) in recent months. Tate will visit Ashburn on an official pre-draft visit. So will Lemon.
#USC WR Makai Lemon spent Thursday with the #Chiefs on a Top 30 visit, source said. He's also slated to visit the #Dolphins, #Giants, #Jets, and #Commanders. pic.twitter.com/nTXvT6ih7k
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2026
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon is arguably the top receiver in the class. In three years for the Trojans, Lemon finished with 137 receptions for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns. He won the Biletnikoff Award last season as college football's top receiver.
Lemon is an interesting prospect, as he could immediately play the slot for the Commanders in new offensive coordinator David Blough's offense. Lemon has often drawn comparisons to Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown, also a former USC star. St. Brown is one of the NFL's best receivers and someone Blough knows well. They were teammates in 2021 and in 2023.
Some believe the top 10 is too high for Lemon. The Commanders hold the No. 7 overall pick. However, most analysts believe he's a surefire top-15 pick. In reality, what's the difference? If he's your top receiver, which no one knows if he is, you pick him. Could Washington be hosting Lemon as a potential trade-back option?
The 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 23.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: USC WR Makai Lemon to visit before NFL draft