The Seattle Seahawks were, by most objective measures, the best team in the NFL last season, and not just because they won the Super Bowl. However, they weren't a flawless team, and their biggest foe, unfortunately, was in their own division.
The Los Angeles Rams have always been a tough rival, and all three matchups went down to the wire and were settled by one score last season. That's why watching them have the No. 13 pick in this year's NFL Draft is a bit of a nail-biter.
Considering that, Seahawks fans might want to look away now. FanSided's NFL Draft Big Board has the Rams most likely taking USC star WR Makai Lemon in the first round, and that spells trouble for Mike Macdonald's defense.
Makai Lemon can give the Seattle Seahawks plenty of headaches
The Rams might have Jeremiyah Love as their top target, but there's just no way he'll be available at No. 13. Lemon, on the other hand, is also on the New York Jets' and New Orleans Saints' board, but not as a top-1 or top-2 target, so he should fall right into Sean McVay's lap.
While not the biggest guy by any means, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Lemon is the best slot receiver in this class. He might be limited to that position in the pros because of his size limitations, but his crisp route-running, reliable hands, and ability to beat coverage in contested situations are impressive. He's drawn comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the resemblance in their games is uncanny.
Moreover, we can't see this pick in a vacuum. The Rams already have a top-three WR in Puka Nacua and a savvy veteran in Davante Adams, so giving Matthew Stafford another weapon is about much more than what Lemon can do. Having Adams and Lemon there makes it almost impossible -- if not irresponsible -- to double Nacua.
Of course, the Seahawks have an absolute beast of a defender to take care of the slot, and Nick Emmanwori's physicality can certainly disrupt Lemon's rhythm. That said, Stafford is fresh off putting up 457 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions against this defense in the NFC Championship Game, and getting the second or third-best WR in this class should have him licking his chops.
At the end of the day, the Seahawks' hard-hitting and reliable secondary should always love their chances in every matchup. However, divisional games are always a toss-up, and with everybody aiming for the Seahawks' crown, this potential move will likely be made almost solely to find ways to get past what's left of Aden Durde's 'Dark Side' defense.
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