NFL Draft Spotlight: Elijah Sarratt Could Be the Reliable WR the Chiefs Have Been Missing
It’s easy to look back at the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season and think the sky was falling. A year filled with frustrating one-score losses and missed opportunities made it feel like the dynasty was unraveling.
But let’s be clear: this isn’t a team in rebuild mode. This is still a championship-caliber roster that’s been through the grinder of deep playoff runs and Super Bowl appearances.
The margins were razor-thin in 2025, and while there’s work to be done, the Chiefs aren’t far off.
One area that clearly needs attention? The wide receiver room.
Back in October, there was real buzz around the group. “EGE” - short for “Explosive Group of Excellence” - was the nickname floating around for a trio that included Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, and rookie Xavier Worthy.
But the hype didn’t match the production. Whether it was inconsistency, chemistry issues, or just a lack of development, the group didn’t deliver.
The Chiefs are betting that with better coaching and another offseason of growth, things can turn around. But they also know they need reinforcements - specifically, a reliable chain-mover who can win on third down and in the red zone.
Enter Elijah Sarratt.
Who is Elijah Sarratt?
Sarratt’s path to the NFL isn’t the typical five-star-to-SEC pipeline. Born and raised in Baltimore, he started his college career as a zero-star recruit at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania.
After a breakout freshman season (700 yards and 13 touchdowns), he transferred to James Madison, where he thrived under head coach Curt Cignetti. When Cignetti took the job at Indiana, Sarratt followed - and helped lead the Hoosiers to a National Championship.
In two seasons at Indiana, Sarratt racked up 1,787 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was the go-to guy in big moments, and his production wasn’t a fluke - it was the result of polished route running, strong hands, and a knack for making plays when it mattered most.
What Sarratt Brings to the Table
Separation Skills
This is where Sarratt shines. He’s not the fastest guy on the field, but he doesn’t need to be.
His ability to sell vertical routes and then break off sharply forces defenders into early hip turns. That creates windows - and he knows how to exploit them.
He’s physical through contact, uses his hands well against press, and has a feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage. His 88.3 PFF receiving grade against man coverage puts him among the elite in this class.
Body Control and Catch Radius
At 6'2", 213 pounds, Sarratt has the frame to win contested catches, and he does it with consistency. His 49% contested catch rate ranks in the 66th percentile among all receivers - not elite, but certainly dependable.
He’s not just a jump-ball guy, though. His body control allows him to adjust mid-route and make tough grabs near the sideline or in traffic.
Clutch Factor
This isn’t something you can measure with a stopwatch or a vertical leap, but it shows up on tape. Sarratt made critical plays in big games - go-ahead touchdowns against Iowa and Oregon, and five scores during Indiana’s Big Ten title and National Championship run.
When the lights got brighter, he didn’t shrink. That matters.
Where He Needs to Grow
Yards After Catch (YAC)
Sarratt’s not going to be confused with Deebo Samuel anytime soon. He’s not a tackle-breaker or a burner in the open field.
Once he makes the catch, he’s more likely to go down than turn it into a highlight. That limits his upside in some offensive systems, but if you’re asking him to move the chains and make contested grabs, he’s more than capable.
Defined Role
He’s not a true vertical threat, and he’s not the kind of physical mismatch you build an offense around. That could pigeonhole him into a power slot or possession role. But here’s the thing - that’s exactly the kind of role the Chiefs could use right now.
Fit with the Chiefs
If you’re looking for a comp, think Demarcus Robinson - but with better separation skills and a more refined route tree. The Chiefs don’t need another burner; they’ve got Worthy for that.
They don’t need another YAC monster; that’s Rice’s job. What they do need is a reliable, physical receiver who can win on third down and make tough catches in the red zone.
As Travis Kelce continues to age, the Chiefs need someone who can fill that “security blanket” role. Someone who can sit down in zones, win on slants, and keep the offense on schedule. Sarratt checks those boxes.
He’s a high-floor prospect with the kind of work ethic and football IQ that fits perfectly in Kansas City’s culture. A former zero-star recruit who climbed the ladder with production, not hype. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable - and that’s exactly what the Chiefs’ receiver room needs.
Final Take
Elijah Sarratt isn’t going to dominate headlines on draft night. He’s not the guy you draft to be your WR1. But if you’re a team like the Chiefs, looking for glue guys who can step in and contribute right away, he makes a ton of sense.
He separates naturally, plays with toughness, and delivers in big moments. He won’t stretch the field, but he’ll move the chains. And in an offense that still revolves around Patrick Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and find open targets, that’s incredibly valuable.
Sarratt may not be the flashiest option in this draft class, but he could end up being one of the most reliable. And for a team looking to reload, not rebuild, that’s exactly the kind of player you want.