March 26, 2026, 4:55 a.m. CT

Wide receiver looks like a deep position in the 2026 NFL draft. This is welcome news for the New Orleans Saints and a handful of other teams. New Orleans is poised to sign wide receiver Chris Olave to a lucrative contract extension, but outside of largely unproven players like Devaughn Vele and Ja’Lynn Polk needs more weapons at the position. Wideout Elijah Sarratt of the national champion Indiana Hoosiers might be one of several targets on their radar.

There are projected to be as many as a dozen receivers or more drafted within the first two days. While Sarratt may not be at the top of the list, he’s very likely among that group who will hear their name called before the start of Day 3 of the draft.

Elijah Sarratt bioPosition: Wide receiverCollege: Indiana HoosiersHeight: 6-feet, 2.5 inchesWeight: 210 pounds

A star first at Colonial Forge High School in Virginia, then Saint Frances Academy in Maryland, Sarratt initially committed to the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash. He’d pull in 42 receptions for 700 yards and score 13 touchdowns as a freshman in 2022 for the Red Flash, earning 1st Team All-NEC recognition. Sarratt would transfer to the James Madison Dukes following that season. In 2023 with James Madison, Sarratt was the team’s leading receiver with 82 catches for 1,191 yards and 8 scores. He’d be named 1st Team All-Sun Belt conference for that production, but would transfer to the Indiana Hoosiers after one season with the Dukes.

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Sarratt led the 2024 Hoosiers in receiving, catching 53 passes for 957 yards and scoring 8 times. In 2025, he continued to be a vital part of an undefeated 16-0 Hoosiers squad. Teammate Omar Cooper led Indiana in receiving, but Sarratt was close behind with 65 receptions and 830 yards. Sarratt’s 15 receiving scores led all NCAA players, as he concluded his collegiate career with a national championship and 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors.

StrengthsPhysical and reliable possession targetPlays even bigger than his sizeVery disciplined route runnerGets separation with crisp breaksUses frame and strength to win most contested ballsElite body control in traffic and along sidelinesSure handsTough runner after the catchWeaknessesLacks separation gearStruggles to get free downfieldMay be silenced by press corners who match his physicalityLong-strider that may allow off-ball coverage to jump his routesElijah Sarratt 2026 draft outlook

Elijah Sarratt is projected to be a mid-late Day 2 choice, perhaps slipping down further. If that holds true, he could be one of the major steals of this year’s draft. This is a receiver accustomed to a heavy target load and had some of his best performances against his team’s top opponents.

Yes, Sarratt lacks top-end speed that could affect his downfield effectiveness. Aside from that, he has prototype size, strength, and route skills with ultra reliable hands. His ability to convert contested throws and red-zone skills could make him a quarterback’s best friend early on. The Saints need a reliable intermediate target. Sarratt’s route precision and ability to win most 50/50 balls would also open up downfield opportunities for the other New Orleans pass catchers, improving the entire receiving corps.