Following the 2026 NFL Draft, there’s a lot of optimism about the class that the Baltimore Ravens put together. There was a heavy emphasis on offense in the group, with seven of Baltimore’s 11 picks being used on the offensive side of the ball. Two of those seven were used on receivers, selected with back-to-back picks, and fans always get excited about wideouts.
Ja’Kobi Lane, selected in the third round, and Elijah Sarratt, picked in the fourth, are the two receivers who fans are hoping can quickly emerge as playmakers for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense. Lane, by being the higher pick and having jaw-dropping highlight catches, has generated more excitement, but one analyst believes Sarratt is the name to watch in the 2026 season.
NFL writer Moe Moton, in a recent Bleacher Report piece, named six rookie receivers who will outplay their draft value and Sarratt was one of the names listed.
Bleacher Report names Elijah Sarratt as a rookie receiver who will outplay draft value
Moton explained that the two wideouts are two different receivers, calling Lane “a big-play receiver,” while referring to Sarratt as “a physical chain-mover“ who produced more consistently throughout college.
The real reason why Moton is leaning Sarratt over Lane, though, is because of the receiver spots they will likely play in the NFL. Lane, who’s a rangy, jump-ball wideout will most play on the outside. Sarratt, on the other hand, is expected to work out of the slot for Baltimore. As Moton explains, Sarratt may not face much competition in the slot, giving him the opportunity to see the field early and contribute.
"ESPN's Jamison Hensley expects Sarratt to carve out a role in the slot. In that spot, he'll face less competition for snaps than Lane on the perimeter. The Ravens can deploy Flowers, Bateman and Sarratt in three-receiver sets."Moe Moton (Bleacher Report)
Of course, the path may be clear on paper, but Sarratt now has to go out and actually produce. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver had his fair share of production in college playing at James Madison and Indiana. While he posted 200 receptions for 2,978 yards and 31 touchdowns in 40 games, his most productive scoring season came in 2025, when he caught 15 touchdowns.
If the wideout can quickly establish himself as a scoring threat, he will find his way onto the field, and from that point, he will be able to outplay his draft value as predicted.
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