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Elijah Sarratt WR Indiana | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Elijah Sarratt WR Indiana
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/14/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.60 seconds (18%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 05/14/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.60 seconds (18%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 85.8 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
74% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 133.5 | |
| Hands: |
|
83% |
| Short Receiving: |
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89% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
|
96% |
| Deep Threat: |
|
98% |
| Blocking: |
|
60% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#60
Position rank:
#13
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| College Games: 38 College Snaps: 2049 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Xavier Hutchinson - Iowa State |
|
92% |
| David Bell - Purdue |
|
89% |
| Tre Harris - Ole Miss |
|
84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Elijah Sarratt started his journey at Saint Francis (Pa.) where he burst onto the scene as an FCS Freshman All-American, hauling in 42 receptions for 700 yards and tying the program record with 13 touchdowns. His trajectory continued upward at James Madison, where he exploded for 82 catches, 1,191 yards and eight scores as a sophomore. After transferring to Indiana for his junior season, Sarratt became the centerpiece of a revitalized Hoosiers passing attack that helped propel the team to an 11-2 record and playoff appearance.What stands out about Sarratt's 2024 campaign wasn't just the production (53 catches, 957 yards, 8 TDs), but the consistency and clutch performances. He recorded four 100+ yard games, including a record-setting 165-yard performance against Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry. His ability to move the chains was remarkable – 43 of his 53 receptions went for first downs or touchdowns. That's the kind of conversion rate that makes quarterbacks fall in love with a receiver. Despite playing for three different schools in three years, Sarratt has caught at least one pass in all 37 career games.
Heading into 2025, Sarratt has already established himself among the elite receivers in college football. His career numbers – 177 receptions, 2,847 yards, and 29 touchdowns – place him at the top of the FBS junior class. He's collected all-conference honors in each of his three collegiate seasons (third-team All-Big Ten, first-team All-Sun Belt, first-team All-Northeast Conference). The well-traveled wideout now looks to put the finishing touches on his draft resume with a dominant senior season working with new Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional hands catcher who plucks the ball away from his frame with natural confidence – consistently shows up repeatedly on critical third downs when the ball has to be thrown into tight windows.
- Outstanding body control allows him to make impressive adjustments to the ball in flight – watch the Michigan game where he twists mid-air for a 36-yard TD while maintaining positioning against the defender.
- Absolute monster on intermediate routes – knows exactly where the sticks are and possesses that sixth sense for finding soft spots in zone coverage that comes from intense film study.
- Deceptively effective deep threat despite average timed speed – shows superb tracking ability and timing on contested catches downfield that belies his testing numbers.
- Chains mover extraordinaire – converted 43 of 53 catches into first downs or touchdowns in 2024, displaying a unique feel for spacing and leverage against defenders.
- Crafty route runner who sets up defenders with subtle head fakes and shoulder dips – creates separation through technique rather than pure athleticism.
- Brings that dog mentality to the blocking game – consistently willing to get physical in the run game and shows good technique in sustaining blocks on the perimeter.
- Championship pedigree with production across all levels of competition – has proven he can adapt quickly to new offenses and still produce at a high level.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Limited long speed caps his ceiling as a vertical threat at the next level – won't consistently take the top off NFL defenses.
- Needs to expand his route tree beyond comfort zones – currently relies heavily on slants, curls, comebacks and go routes without much nuance on in-breaking patterns.
- Run blocking effectiveness is inconsistent despite willingness – shows technical issues that need refinement before facing NFL edge defenders who will exploit his current hand placement.
- Lacks elite burst off the line – can struggle to beat press coverage against longer, more physical corners who can match his play strength at the release.
- Post-catch dynamism is merely adequate – won't create many explosive plays after the catch through broken tackles or elusive open-field movement.
Scouting Report: Summary
When I watch Sarratt's tape, I see shades of Nico Collins with less explosiveness but more route polish. He's going to make his money at the next level as a dependable X-receiver who thrives in the intermediate passing game and converts critical third downs. That reliable "always open" trait has earned him the nickname "Waffle House" among teammates – and it's precisely what will endear him to NFL quarterbacks who need a security blanket outside the numbers.Scheme fit will be crucial for maximizing Sarratt's potential. He'll thrive in offenses that emphasize precision timing routes and back-shoulder throws where his body control and strong hands can shine. Teams like the Ravens, Cardinals, and Falcons that run concepts requiring receivers to find soft spots against zone coverage would be ideal landing spots. He's not going to be the guy who takes a slant 80 yards to the house, but he'll be the one who consistently moves the sticks on third-and-7 when everyone in the stadium knows the ball is coming his way.
Ultimately, Sarratt projects as a high-floor prospect who should hear his name called in the Day 2 range of the 2026 draft. His combination of size, hands and intermediate route prowess gives him immediate contributor potential, with the ceiling of developing into a reliable WR2 who commands respect in critical situations. If he can add a touch more explosiveness and refine his release package against press coverage during his senior season, don't be surprised if he climbs into the late first-round conversation.
How other scouting services rate Elijah Sarratt (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
82.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
13.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.