The New England Patriots have flipped the script in 2026, going from a 4-13 team a year ago to a stunning 14-3 finish and a spot in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. And while plenty of factors have played into that turnaround, the biggest game-changer has been rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye’s emergence has been nothing short of remarkable. The former North Carolina standout has looked poised and polished well beyond his years, completing 72% of his passes for 31 touchdowns against just eight interceptions. Compare that to his rookie campaign-where he threw for over 2,000 fewer yards, 16 fewer touchdowns, and two more picks-and it’s clear: this is a quarterback who’s found his rhythm and is steering the Patriots’ offense with confidence and command.
But even with Maye’s impressive leap, there’s still room for this offense to grow-particularly at wide receiver.
Size Matters in the Patriots’ Receiving Corps
Stefon Diggs has been the go-to guy in Foxborough this season, racking up 85 catches for 1,013 yards. He’s been reliable, productive, and a steady presence for Maye.
But here’s the thing: the Patriots don’t have that big-bodied, physical receiver who can consistently win contested catches and dominate in the red zone. None of their main pass-catchers stands over six feet tall.
That lack of size limits the offense, especially in tight spaces where a bigger target can make all the difference.
Enter Elijah Sarratt.
Sarratt Checks the Boxes
The Indiana wideout has been a model of consistency at the FBS level, posting over 800 receiving yards in each of his three seasons. This year, he managed 802 yards despite missing two games with a hamstring injury.
And what really jumps off the stat sheet? Fifteen touchdowns.
That’s not just production-that’s game-changing impact.
At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Sarratt brings the kind of physical presence the Patriots have been missing. He’s a back-shoulder catch specialist-something he put on repeat this season for the Hoosiers.
His body control at the catch point is top-tier, and he’s got the strength to battle through defenders and come down with the ball. That’s the kind of skill set that doesn’t just move the chains-it flips field position and finishes drives.
YAC Ability and a Clutch Gene
Sarratt’s not just a jump-ball guy, either. He’s got some juice after the catch, tallying 292 yards after the reception this season.
One of his most electric plays came late in the game against Iowa-a 49-yard, game-winning touchdown off a slant where he broke a tackle and outran the defense. That’s the kind of play that sticks with scouts.
It shows vision, balance, and the ability to create something out of nothing.
Where He Fits in the Draft-and in New England
While some draft boards have Sarratt projected as a first-round pick, there’s a case to be made that he’s better suited as a Day Two selection. The main concern?
He doesn’t have elite top-end speed. He’s not the kind of receiver who’s going to consistently take the top off a defense or stack cornerbacks on deep routes.
Against physical, man-to-man coverage at the next level, separation could be a challenge.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t be a difference-maker. If the Patriots are sitting in the late second round and Sarratt is still on the board, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense. He fills a glaring need, provides a true red-zone threat, and gives Maye a target who can win with size and strength-something this offense doesn’t currently have.
The Patriots have already found their franchise quarterback. Now it’s about surrounding him with the right weapons. Elijah Sarratt might not be a burner, but he’s a physical, reliable pass-catcher who could be the perfect complement to Diggs and a key piece in keeping this New England resurgence rolling.