The Baltimore Ravens may not have taken a wide receiver early, but they still made a clear statement about their offensive priorities in the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. After selecting Ja’Kobi Lane at No. 80 overall in Round 3, Baltimore doubled down by taking Elijah Sarratt in Round 4 at No. 115.
The back-to-back investments signal a real push to upgrade the pass-catching group around Lamar Jackson, and Sarratt is already drawing comparisons to one of the league’s most consistent stars in Mike Evans.
Elijah Sarratt’s Play Style Echoes Mike Evans’ Dominance
That comparison is not being thrown around lightly. On PFSN’s “Football Debate Club” live NFL draft show, analyst Ian Cummings made it clear how highly he views Sarratt’s skill set.
“No one get mad at me, you draft pundits out there, when I tell you that Elijah Sarratt: Mike Evans-lite,” Cummings said.
It is a bold statement, but the reasoning behind it tracks. Evans has built a borderline Hall of Fame career on winning at the catch point, using size, timing, and elite body control.
At 6-foot-5 and 231 pounds, Evans turned those traits into Tampa Bay franchise records, including 13,052 receiving yards and 108 touchdowns. He also opened his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons, the longest streak to begin a career in NFL history.
Sarratt is not identical physically at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, but the stylistic overlap stands out. Cummings pointed directly to how Sarratt consistently creates separation and finishes through contact.
“Doesn’t play. The way he gets open, the way he wins at the catch point,” Cummings said.
That is where the Evans comparison really lands. It is not about blazing speed. It is about body control, timing, and knowing how to win when the ball is contested.
How Sarratt Gives Lamar Jackson a ‘Ball-Winner’
Baltimore’s decision to draft Lane and Sarratt in consecutive rounds underscores a bigger plan. The Ravens are building a deeper, more versatile receiver room, and Sarratt brings a different skill set to complement that group.
“I think Elijah Sarratt compares to [Evans] very well, since he can operate a little bit in the slot on the boundary,” Cummings said. “I do think his short-area mobility was understated a little bit, but I do think he’s pretty quick-footed.”
That flexibility fits well in Baltimore’s offense. Sarratt can line up inside or outside and contribute right away, especially in high-leverage situations.
“This dude has the badge for me. Not many guys get this. He is a true late-hand master,” Cummings added.
That trait shows up most in the red zone. Like Evans, Sarratt times his hands late and wins with positioning, making him a reliable target on fades and tight-window throws.
The production backs up the projection. Per the PFSN scouting report, Sarratt has been one of the most productive receivers in college football since 2022. He topped 1,000 yards at James Madison in 2023, then led Indiana in catches, yards, and touchdowns during its College Football Playoff run.
In 2025, he posted 51 receptions for 687 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning a 79.9 (C+) score in PFSN CFB WR Impact Metrics.
Cummings summed up perfectly: “Lamar Jackson needed a ball-winner in the rotation. This is that guy.”
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This is just what Baltimore has been lacking. By pairing Lane and Sarratt in back-to-back rounds, the Ravens are not just adding bodies. They are reshaping the identity of their receiver room.
The pick could carry serious long-term value if Sarratt lives up to the “Mike Evans-lite” projection. No pressure.
