Elijah Sarratt’s rise at Indiana has quietly turned him into one of the more dependable wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft cycle. At 6-foot-2 with a strong frame and advanced route-running ability, Sarratt thrives as a possession receiver who consistently wins at the catch point.
Sarratt may not be the most flashy receiver in the class, but his consistency, toughness, and advanced skill set make him an excellent choice for teams seeking a reliable, NFL-ready contributor. As the Hoosiers aim to contend for a national championship, Sarratt has the opportunity to demonstrate to fans and scouts what Indiana fans already know: he is ready for the league.
Here are five NFL teams that could benefit from drafting Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt:
1) Baltimore Ravens
Approaching the 2026 draft, the Baltimore Ravens may have the greatest need for an overhaul of their wide receiver (WR) room. Aside from selecting Zay Flowers in 2023, drafting wide receivers has not been a strong point for the Ravens. However, a talent like Elijah Surratt could potentially change that perspective.
Sarratt excels at winning on third down, working through contact, and securing contested catches. Those traits fit well with an offense that frequently faces tight coverage due to heavy defensive focus on the run game and Lamar Jackson’s mobility.
At 6-foot-2, he brings size that Baltimore’s receiving corps has often lacked outside of situational roles. He’s comfortable catching the ball in traffic, finishing through contact, and contributing as a blocker
2) Carolina Panthers
As the Carolina Panthers build around Bryce Young, providing the young quarterback with reliable receivers like last season’s first-round pick, Tetaroia McMillan, could be key to success moving forward. Elijah Sarratt’s strong hands and ability to win in traffic would help sustain drives and provide stability in the middle of the field, an area Carolina has lacked for ongoing seasons.
Sarratt’s route-running is another primary reason he is a good fit for Carolina. He creates separation through technique rather than pure speed, allowing him to beat zone coverage and find soft spots on the field. That skill is especially valuable for a developing quarterback who needs receivers to be precisely where they’re supposed to be.
3) Denver Broncos
Denver has struggled to find steady production from its wide receivers outside of Courtland Sutton. With the team being a Super Bowl contender this season, adding another surefire weapon for Bo Nix may be the route the Broncos head down in 2026. His versatility allows him to line up both outside and in the slot, giving Denver more flexibility in its formations.
From a roster-building standpoint, Sarratt makes sense as a high-floor draft pick. He may not command headlines, but he’s an NFL-ready receiver who can contribute early in a rotational role while developing into a reliable chain-mover. Drafting Surratt can help stabilize the offense and provide a trustworthy target as the team continues to rebuild its passing attack.
4) New York Jets
Elijah Sarratt brings a level of reliability and polish that the Jets’ receiving corps has lacked beyond its top option, Garrett Wilson, for some time now. Whether lined up outside or in the slot, Sarratt knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage and present clean throwing windows. That skill set is ideal for an offense that needs precision and efficiency to stay on schedule.
Physicality also matters in the AFC East, and Sarratt brings plenty of it. At a sturdy 6-foot-2, he can absorb contact and finish catches through defenders. He also brings effort as a blocker, something the Jets value as they try to maintain offensive balance. He doesn’t need to be force-fed targets to be effective, and his consistency would help stabilize the offense regardless of who is under center.
5) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers may want to thoughtfully consider drafting Elijah Sarratt, as his playing style resonates well with the qualities the franchise has historically valued in wide receivers, including toughness, reliability, and situational awareness. Pittsburgh’s offense has leaned heavily on physical football, and Sarratt fits that identity.
From a roster-building standpoint, Sarratt profiles as a high-floor prospect who can contribute early alongside DK Metcalf next season. Pittsburgh has long valued wide receivers who contribute in the run game, and Sarratt’s effort and toughness as a blocker would fit seamlessly into that culture. His size and strength allow him to hold up on the perimeter, helping spring explosive runs and screens.
NFL Draft Outlook
At the start of the 2025 season, Sarratt’s average draft position (ADP) was 96.7. However, after an impressive season with 13 touchdowns, his ADP increased to 51.5, and he also climbed the PFSN Big Board rankings.
As the Hoosiers prepare to face Miami for a chance at the national title, Sarratt is expected to step up as one of Fernando Mendoza’s key targets for Indiana.
Elijah Sarratt’s Scouting Report
Elijah Sarratt has been one of the most productive WRs in college football since 2022, and he maintained that reputation this year. He eclipsed 1,000 yards with James Madison in 2023 and led the Indiana Hoosiers in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns during the team’s surprise CFB Playoff campaign in 2024.
In 2025, he achieved a career-high 15 TDs, distinguishing himself as a deadly catch-point and red-zone threat against the highest level of competition. At 6’2″, 209 pounds, Sarratt fits a mold of WR that has been polarizing time and time again on the NFL Draft circuit.
He’s not the most explosive, nor does he have seam-stretching speed, but he has the necessary foot speed, sink, and tempo IQ to separate independently, and at the catch point, he’s a high-level convertor and a true late-hands master with extraordinary composure, timing sense, and body control.
That toughness and play strength translate in the RAC phase as well, and as a blocker, where Sarratt brings consistent effort and plays smart. Athletic traits do matter, but elite execution supersedes them at the NFL level, and Sarratt is a platinum-level operator who has the sky-high floor to underlie tantalizing usage versatility, production upside, and utility as a chain-mover and red-zone trump card.
