First-Round Pick Makai Lemon Signs Rookie Deal With NFL Team
By 813 Staff
The calendar has barely flipped past the draft, but if you’ve been around this league long enough, you know the real season starts when the rookies put pen to paper. That moment has arrived for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as league sources confirm that first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon signed his rookie contract today. The deal comes just days after the draft concluded, and for a front office that has been quietly managing its salary cap with surgical precision—think void years, restructures, and deferred guarantees—this signing locks in one of the most anticipated additions to the offense in years.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, via @RapSheet, broke the news that Lemon has officially inked his four-year deal. While specific financial terms have not been fully disclosed, those close to the situation say the contract is standard for a late first-round pick, carrying a fully guaranteed signing bonus and base salaries tied to the rookie wage scale. Lemon, selected 26th overall out of USC, was a consensus top-40 prospect who slid slightly on draft night, but the Bucs couldn’t believe their luck. Now head coach Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Liam Coen have their man.
Why this matters for the Bucs faithful: Lemon is not just a depth piece. He projects as the No. 3 wideout behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but don’t be surprised if he pushes for more snaps early. His ability to separate on vertical routes and his contested-catch reputation fill a need for a receiver who can work the middle of the field while Evans and Godwin draw attention outside. The front office has been quietly bullish on his fit in Coen’s system, which thrives on quick-hitting concepts and yards after catch.
What happens next? Lemon will join his new teammates for rookie minicamp next week, where the coaching staff will begin installing the playbook. The Bucs have also been in discussions with veteran free-agent receivers, though those close to the situation say the team is comfortable rolling with their current room if Lemon hits the ground running. No timeline has been set for full-team workouts, but the signing removes any potential holdout concern. For a franchise trying to squeeze another postseason run out of Baker Mayfield’s window, getting Lemon in the building early was non-negotiable.
