Patriots 2026 NFL Draft Board: Elijah Sarratt would be a perfect fit in New England

One of the most surprising teams in the NFL this season is the New England Patriots, who are set to take on the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoffs today. A big reason they have been able to go from a 4‑13 team last season to 14‑3 this season has been the stellar play of quarterback Drake Maye.

This season, the North Carolina product has looked in complete command of the Patriots’ offense, completing 72% of his passes for 31 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Last season, he threw for over 2,000 fewer yards, had 16 fewer touchdown passes, and two more interceptions.

Why the Patriots need a big target

Much of this success has come despite a limited wide receiver corps led by Stefon Diggs, who posted 85 receptions for 1,013 yards. However, the Patriots lack a true big-bodied target, as none of their primary receivers stand over six feet tall. Adding a physical receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft to complement Maye would give the offense a new dimension.

One player who could fill that need is Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt. Sarratt has been productive since day one at the FBS level, posting over 800 yards receiving in each of his three seasons, including 802 yards this season despite missing two games due to a hamstring injury. In addition, the Second-Team All-Big Ten pick was a touchdown machine, scoring 15 times this season.

Projecting Sarratt to the Patriots, he brings several traits that Maye will likely love. One is his ability to make the back-shoulder fade catch, something he did repeatedly this season for the Hoosiers. He excels in this area by showing outstanding body control for a 6‑foot‑2, 209-pound receiver and impressive strength, often outmuscling defenders at the catch point.

Sarratt also brings physicality after the catch, picking up yards after the reception. This season, he has already recorded 292 yards after the catch, a trait that was on full display late in the Iowa game when he caught a game-winning 49-yard touchdown off a quick slant, broke a tackle, and went the distance.

While there is plenty to like about his game, I see him more as a late second-round option in the 2026 NFL Draft compared to some draft analysts, like our own Tarringo Basile-Vaughan, who has him going 21st overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The biggest reason I see him as a Day-Two option for the Patriots is that he lacks elite speed. While he is a threat after the catch, it is hard to see him out-running many NFL cornerbacks on deep balls, and he could struggle to get separation in tight man-to-man coverage.

However, if New England can get Sarratt with their late second-round pick, it would be a wise move. He would give the Patriots the big wide receiver they need, a true red-zone threat, and much-needed depth in their wide receiver corps.