Makai Lemon lists 3 NFL quarterbacks he would want to play with — and more

In a pre-combine interview, USC's Makai Lemon was asked what three NFL quarterbacks he would love to catch passes from.

Here is my ranking of the three quarterbacks he listed, my favorite pick for a quarterback he would dominate with, and my actual prediction for which quarterback he will catch passes from:

1. Caleb Williams

In 2023, Caleb Williams and Makai Lemon were both at USC, but it was not the special connection it would be if the 2 were on the same team again in the NFL. Having that connection prior to teaming up does create an advantage and a better sense of trust. Caleb Williams is a big anticipation thrower, and if he trusts you, that ball is going to come out before you even finish the route. I think that with Lemon's ability to get open and what he can do after the catch, he would be a dangerous weapon with Caleb Williams. Everybody in Chicago would be mad if the Bears took another offensive player, but if Lemon ended up in Chicago, I think he would be their best receiver.

2. Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels has so far had a great connection with Terry McLaurin, a smaller but effective receiver. Lemon fits that bill, and he is cut with the same cloth. I think Lemon could be just like scary Terry with an even higher ceiling. The Commanders' offense is at its best with guys that can make things happen after the catch, and guys that can take the top off of a defense. Makai Lemon would be an 1000 yard reciver year in and year out with Jayden Daniels.

3. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers would be even more fun if he wasn't currently 42 years old. Lemon has those traits of the former great Packers receivers. Rodgers is accurate as it gets from the quarterback position, and he puts his receivers in great position to succeed. I think had he been in his prime in Green Bay, Lemon would have lit it up with Aaron Rodgers.

My favorite pick - Matthew Stafford

The two best receiver seasons in NFL history have been achieved with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Matthew Stafford, still at the back end of his career, has helped receivers put up career years. Even if it is for his first 2 seasons in his career, I think Makai Lemon would be the most productive with Matthew Stafford. Mix in the fact that Sean McVay would also be putting him in a great position to be successful. Yeh Makai Lemon would have his best shot at rookie of the year with the Rams.

My actual prediction - Lamar Jackson

The Ravens just hired offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, and he is cut from the same cloth as Ben Johnson. It would make sense that he wants to take the Ravens offense to new heights. Why not bring in a guy who is an Amon-Ra St. Brown clone? Makai Lemon and Lamar Jackson would be must see tv. Lamar has yet to have that super reliable and always open weapon at the receiver position. Zay Flowers is a great recover but he comes with some major flaws. I think Lemon would be just what the doctor ordered for Lamar Jackson, and both guys would dominate this upcoming season in Baltimore.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Makai Lemon names 3 preferred NFL QBs he would want to play with

The Cleveland Browns are acquiring right tackle Tytus Howard from the Texans for a fifth-round pick and giving the 29-year-old a three-year, $63 million contract extension.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported the deal via (X) on Monday, saying, Sources: The Texans and Browns have agreed to terms on a trade to send starting RT Tytus Howard to Cleveland in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Sources: The #Texans and #Browns have agreed to terms on a trade to send starting RT Tytus Howard to Cleveland in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Much-needed OL help. Plus, Howard gets a new 3-year, $63M extension in a deal done by @malkikawa and Ethan Lock of @FirstRoundMgmt. pic.twitter.com/3X2PprFIjN

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2026

Howard was a first-round pick of the Texans in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama State and has started 93 games since then. The moves don't come as a surprise to Howard, as they were expected given the Texans' need to revamp and prepare contracts for younger talent.

“I wasn’t surprised,” Howard said to KPRC-2 TV in Houston after the news broke. “They’re trying to get younger and pay some guys. I ain’t mad. I kind of knew it was going to happen.”

“I just appreciate the support over the last seven years,” Howard added. “I’ll always be a Texan forever. I’m excited to go to Cleveland and turn the city up and help change the program and win some games.”

The Browns have only one starting offensive lineman under contract for 2026: Dawand Jones, a 24-year-old fourth-round pick in 2023. Jones is recovering from an injury to his LCL and hamstring.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Browns snag Tytus Howard from Texans in $63 million deal

The Houston TExans and Detroit Lions have agreed to a trade involving David Montgomery. Here's why the two sides decided to pull off this deal.

The Detroit Lions are trading veteran running back David Montgomery to the Houston Texans, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday. 

The Texans will send their 2026 fourth-round pick, offensive line Juice Scruggs and a seventh-round pick for Montgomery, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

The news comes just one day after Montgomery denied reports that he "wanted out" of Detroit, refuting a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that he was seeking a fresh start, also noting that the Lions would want "possibly a fifth-rounder" in return for the vet. 

Montgomery was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears as a third-round pick out of the 2019 NFL Draft class. After four years in Chicago as the team's lead running back, he signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Lions in free agency in 2023, following that up with a two-year, $18.25 million contract extension in Oct. 2024. 

Montgomery is scheduled to become a free agent again in 2028, barring a new deal with Houston.

This breaking news story will be updated.