The Univeristy of Indiana executed one of the most shocking turnarounds of any level in any sport over the last two seasons. Prior to 2024, the Hoosiers were one of the worst programs in college football history, but went 27-2 over the last two years and capped the run off as undefeated champions.
Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt was one of the players coach Curt Cignetti brough to the program, transferring from James Madison. Sarratt is a a good-sized receiver who turned into an absolute touchdown machine for Indiana in 2025, nearly matching his production from the previous two seasons combined with 15 touchdowns.
The New York Giants are in need of help at the wide receiver position and in search of a running mate for injured wideout Malik Nabers. Could Sarratt be a sleeper to go at the top of the second round?
Prospect: Elijah Sarratt (13)
Games Watched: vs. Oregon (2025), vs. Ohio State (2025), vs. Alabama (2026)
Red Flags: Hamstring (2025)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 213 pounds
Strengths
Best traits
- Route running
- Frame
- Ball skills
- Long speed
Elijah Sarratt is a good-sized outside receiver with good ball skills as well as enough speed to be a vertical threat.
Sarratt is a smart route runner who understands how to manipulate his route stems, setting up defensive backs and creating separation at the top of his routes. He does a good job of using head and body fakes, as well as manipulating the pacing of his routes to keep defenders off balance. Likewise, he understands how to run his routes as a part of a larger route concept to either create traffic or exploit it.
He typically shows good ball skills, locating the ball easily, tracking it well, and making good adjustments while it’s in the air. He has a good-sized frame which also gives him a solid catch radius. Sarratt is typically a “hands” catcher and shows the ability to make tough catches in traffic, as well as haul in off-target passes.
Finally, he’s a long-legged athlete who can lengthen his stride for good speed in the open field. He’s capable of either streaking down the field on vertical routes or picking up yardage after the catch if he get the ball in space with some separation.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Acceleration
- Short-area quickness
The biggest weakness in Sarratt’s game is the amount of time it takes him to reach his top speed. He has solid long speed in the open field, but needs to be able to lengthen his stride in order to reach it. And while he typically releases off the line well, he could benefit from being schemed some separation through route concepts or alignments.
The fact that he is something of a long-strider also goes hand-in-hand with relatively limited short-area quickness and agility. Sarratt doesn’t quite have the high stride frequency or lower-body fluidity to drop his center of gravity to change directions quickly or cut on a dime. That can lead to slightly rounded routes as well as some limitations in picking up yards after the catch in close quarters.
Game Tape
(Sarratt is the Indiana wide receiver wearing number 13 with a white band on his left wrist. )
Projection
Elijah Sarratt projects as a starting outside receiver at the NFL level, likely as a reliable possession receiver with vertical upside.
Because Sarratt is more of a “build-up” than “sudden” athlete, he would likely fit best as a “Z” or “Flanker” across from the X receiver. He can release against tight coverage, however lining up off the line of scrimmage would allow him an extra stride or two to get up to speed and more free releases. Sarratt likely won’t be a terribly exciting option through the draft process, however his route running and reliability at the catch point could allow him to be productive early in his career. Barring developments we aren’t privy to on the outside, he should hear his name called by the end of the second day of the draft.
Does he fit the Giants? Yes, value permitting
Final Word: A Day 2 pick
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