The Baltimore Ravens haven’t had a true, physically imposing wide receiver in a long time. They really haven’t had consistent one since 2012, when Anquan Boldin posed as one of the most fearsome wideouts in the NFL. That could finally change in 2026.
Eric DeCosta made sure to get Lamar Jackson some help in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting two big-bodied wideouts in the forms of Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt. While Lane’s height gives him a lethal catch radius, Sarratt’s size makes him a problem in contested situations.
Sarratt possesses some of the same qualities as Boldin, too. In fact, the fourth-round rookie spoke with Boldin at the NFL Combine, and on an episode of The Lounge Podcast, Sarratt talked about what it takes to play that contested-catch role on offense, as well as that experience picking Boldin’s brain.
“Mindset’s really number one…anytime a ball’s [up] there, I have no doubt that I’m going to be able to come down with the catch,” Sarratt said. “I got the chance to talk to [Boldin] back when I was training for the Combine. I was just asking him about contested plays, releases, stuff like that…He’s a dawg, man.”
Hopefully, Sarratt can showcase that Boldin-style mentality in the pros.
Baltimore Ravens could develop another Anquan Boldin in Elijah Sarratt
Elijah Sarratt has the traits to develop into a player somewhat similar to Anquan Boldin in the pros. They both hovered around the 210-pound range, and while Sarratt is two inches taller, he brings a rugged style of play to the gridiron that screams Boldin.
Sure, he’s got a bit more juice to him, but Sarratt’s calling card is undoubtedly winning 50/50 balls consistently. He understands how to take leverage and win space, hauling in the back shoulder throws more often than not. He acts like an NBA big man boxing players out in the paint, something that Ravens fans grew very accustomed to seeing from Boldin during his successful stint in Charm City from 2010 to 2012.
Of course, it won’t be easy to replicate Boldin’s success, and in all honesty, it’d be great if Sarratt could even come close to the dominance that the three-time Pro Bowler put on display from week to week. With the Ravens, Boldin had over 800 receiving yards in all three seasons, posting 14 regular season touchdowns, and truly balling out in the playoffs, which included an otherworldly 22 receptions, 380 yards, and four touchdowns in the team’s 2012 Super Bowl run. He was a stalwart of those teams.
It’s the mentality that Sarratt can definitely provide, though. When Joe Flacco threw Boldin the football, he knew Boldin would do everything in his power to either ensure he came down with it or the defender didn’t. For Sarratt, who carries the nickname “Waffle House” on his back, Lamar Jackson could quickly learn that he’s open 24/7. Of course, the former Indiana star will have to adjust to the pros, but he already made some big plays during the offseason program, and it sounds like he has the exact mentality that Baltimore needs at wideout. He plays like a Raven.
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