The New York Jets need pass-catching help, and they need it badly. At this point, that is no secret.<\/p>\n
While the expectation is that the team will land a top pass catcher with one of their first-round picks, it would not be surprising to see Gang Green double up at the position.<\/p>\n
Here are three pass catchers the Jets could target in the later rounds of this year\u2019s NFL draft.<\/p>\n
Elijah Sarratt, Indiana<\/p>\n
Elijah Sarratt, 22, enters this year\u2019s draft as one of the most productive and reliable boundary receivers in the class.<\/p>\n
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Sarratt appeared in a total of 52 NCAA games, spending his first season at FCS Saint Francis before transferring to James Madison in 2023. Sarratt then transferred to Indiana for the 2024 and 2025 seasons<\/p>\n
Across two seasons with the Hoosiers, Sarratt hauled in 118 passes for 1,787 yards and 23 touchdowns. This past season, he led the FBS with 15 receiving touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Elijah Sarratt (6\u20192 210) Indiana<\/p>\n
+ Highly productive at James Madison and Indiana, averaging right around 1,000 yards over the last 3 seasons \u2014 Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) March 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Sarratt possesses strong, reliable hands and excellent ball skills in traffic. He also has excellent body control and is able to adjust to off-target throws.<\/p>\n Elijah Sarratt really caught a TD on 23.4% of his receptions this season..<\/p>\n Since 2022:<\/p>\n \u2013 1st in TD\u2019s (44) Elijah Sarratt also has 242 Career Collegiate Receptions and 0 Fumbles..<\/p>\n Elite ball security is truly invaluable pic.twitter.com\/OyCrQ47MXr<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbott) March 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n At the next level, Sarratt projects as a high-floor outside receiver who will make an impact in the red zone right away. While he doesn\u2019t have the speed to consistently separate vertically, he has the strength to compensate.<\/p>\n Skyler Bell, Connecticut<\/p>\n Consensus big board rank: 84th<\/p>\n In my opinion, Skyler Bell is the most underrated wide receiver in this year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n His 2025 season put him on the map, where he finished the year with 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns across 102 receptions at UConn while being named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and earning first-team All-American recognition. <\/p>\n In the 2025 regular season, he was the only FBS wide receiver to finish the season ranked within the top two for receptions, yards, and touchdowns. <\/p>\n Skyler Bell (6\u20190 192) U Conn<\/p>\n + Quick to separate \u2014 Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) March 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Bell also became the first Husky in UConn history to earn All-American honors while also setting program records in receptions (101), yards (1,278), and touchdowns (13).<\/p>\n With 4.4 speed, he is one of the fastest receivers in this year\u2019s draft while being highly dominant after the catch, leading FBS receivers in total YAC (835) for the regular season.<\/p>\n In the pros, he has the potential to be a high-end WR2 thanks to his lightning speed, while his route-running ability and vertical separation will give him a pathway to earn snaps in the slot right away, while also contributing on special teams.<\/p>\n UCONN WR Skyler Bell\u2019s (6-0, 185) experience & stats\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n (Wisconsin) 14 starts 2025: \ud83d\udd39Biletnikoff finalist also had seasons of 14.8 & 17.2 YPC \u2014 Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) December 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The main concern with Bell is his hands, as the receiver posted a career 9.3% drop rate throughout his four years in the NCAA. However, he logged only a 3.8% rate in the 2025 season, a career low.<\/p>\n If Bell\u2019s hands continue to improve, he has the tools to be one of the biggest steals in this year\u2019s draft class.<\/p>\n Zachariah Branch, Georgia<\/p>\n Consensus big board rank: 61st<\/p>\n Zachariah Branch is one of the most explosive receivers in this year\u2019s class.<\/p>\n Standing at 5-foot-9 and 177 pounds, Branch ran a 4.35 forty-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine while flashing his athleticism all season long. In 2025, he contributed 811 yards and six touchdowns for the Georgia Bulldogs while leading the SEC in receptions (81).<\/p>\n As a freshman in 2023, he won the Jet Award as the nation\u2019s top return specialist while earning All-SEC honors in 2025 as a receiver and returner.<\/p>\n In 2025, his 634 total yards after catch ranked fourth among 63 qualified FBS receivers, while his 20 missed tackles forced ranked 11th.<\/p>\n At the NFL level, Branch has the potential to be an impactful offensive weapon, but much of his success will hinge on scheme and how he is deployed. In offenses where motion is prioritized and YAC opportunities are often created, he has the potential to be one of the league\u2019s better starting slot receivers.<\/p>\n I love shifty slot WR Zachariah Branch as an option for the #Commanders<\/a> at 71.<\/p>\n -5\u20199\u201d 177lbs \u2014 Carolina Commander (@SC_Commanderr) March 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n While his route tree certainly needs to develop in the pros, his return ability and lightning speed guarantee he will have a role right away as a rookie.<\/p>\n Branch\u2019s game-breaking upside with the ball in his hands is something that few pass-catchers in this year\u2019s draft possess.<\/p>\n
+ 4.5% drop rate in 2025
+ Career 57.4% contested catch rate
+ 2.56 yards per route ran for career
+ Large hands
+ Reliable on back\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/OdPW8uLc6r<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2013 1st in Yards (3,652)
\u2013 1st in Contested Catches (54)<\/p>\n
+ Yards after catch ability
+ Highly productive with over 1200 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2025 season
+ 3.13 yards per route ran in 2025
+ Toughness over the middle
+ Smooth route runner
+ 65% on contested catch\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/uKLQiMQM8n<\/a><\/p>\n
(\ud83d\udc3a) 25 starts<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udd37101 REC (3rd in D1)
\ud83d\udd371,278 yards (2nd)
\ud83d\udd3912.6 YPC
\ud83d\udd3713 TD (2nd)<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udd3924 MTF from \u201824-25
\ud83d\udd3963.2% contested catches wins\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/JA4TuWTpoK<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/KQV7FNPSJf<\/a><\/p>\n
-4.35 40
-elite get off & top end speed
-strong for size (forced 20 missed tackles)
-81 rec \/ 10 YPC \/ 2nd team all SEC (2025)
-roughly 80% of career rec yards came after catch
-Jet Award\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/KdLLzXa7k6<\/a><\/p>\n