The Dallas Cowboys already boast one of the NFL’s most formidable wide receiver duos in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens — a pair of All-Pro talents who become nearly unstoppable when synced with quarterback Dak Prescott. Together, they form a dynamic 1-2 punch capable of dismantling defenses on any given Sunday.
Yet behind that star power lies a glaring concern: thin depth at the position. With Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin as the primary backups, the Cowboys lack a proven third option who can consistently contribute at a high level. Compounding the issue is George Pickens’ uncertain long-term future in Dallas due to his complicated contract situation. That reality makes the 2026 NFL Draft a prime opportunity for the Cowboys to bolster their receiving corps with a developmental piece who could step up as a reliable WR3 in 2026 — and potentially evolve into a WR2 down the road.
According to NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, Dallas is projected to address the need in the third round, selecting Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt at No. 70 overall.
At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Sarratt is a physical presence who dominated the 2025 season. He led all of FBS with 15 receiving touchdowns, playing a pivotal role in guiding the Hoosiers to an undefeated campaign and the program’s first-ever national championship — one of the most remarkable turnaround stories in college football history.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein captured Sarratt’s profile perfectly: “Big receiver whose competitiveness and elite catch-phase execution allow him to overcome his athletic limitations. While he’s nicknamed ‘Waffle House’ because he’s said to be ‘always open,’ Sarratt sees a high number of contested targets versus man coverage. He’s tight-hipped with below-average foot quickness and falls below the line as a separator. Once the throw goes up, however, he consistently beats corners with size, body control and catch-space strength to clean up. He’ll face press matchups that leave his catch column dry, but he’s built and wired for possession targets over the first two levels.”
That “Waffle House” moniker — born from his uncanny ability to be open 24/7, much like the iconic 24-hour chain — has become synonymous with his game. Teammates and coaches alike swear by it: throw it his way, and he’s there. His father even coined the nickname after watching his son get open time and again.
Sarratt’s journey to top-prospect status is anything but conventional. A zero-star recruit out of Baltimore’s powerhouse St. Frances Academy, he began his college career at FCS-level St. Francis (Pa.) in 2022, where he starred as a true freshman. He transferred to James Madison for 2023, earning All-Sun Belt honors with 82 receptions for 1,191 yards and 9 touchdowns. Over his two seasons at Indiana, he hauled in 118 catches for 1,787 yards and 23 touchdowns, cementing himself as a clutch performer in one of college football’s greatest underdog tales.
Bleacher Report’s Damian Parson praised him as “a high-volume target with WR1 potential and late-game playmaking to become a difference-maker in the NFL. Sarratt’s game combines strong hands, route-running, and an infectious desire to make impactful plays when his team needs them.”
For a Cowboys team that relies heavily on Lamb and Pickens, adding a player like Sarratt makes strategic sense. While Pro Bowl tight end Jake Ferguson provides an excellent safety valve — coming off a strong 2025 season with 82 receptions for 600 yards and 8 touchdowns — the wide receiver room still needs more reliable bodies. Flournoy and Turpin are solid contributors, but they don’t yet project as every-down threats capable of stretching the field or winning contested balls consistently.
Sarratt’s skill set fits nicely as a potential WR3 who can develop behind elite talent. His competitiveness in contested-catch situations, combined with his size and body control, could translate well to the NFL, especially in a scheme that maximizes Prescott’s precision and the duo of Lamb and Pickens drawing defensive attention.
If Pickens’ future remains murky, drafting a high-upside receiver in the third round becomes even more critical. Sarratt’s story — from overlooked recruit to national champion and FBS touchdown leader — suggests a player wired for big moments and capable of exceeding expectations.
In a draft class loaded with talent at wide receiver, the Cowboys could “order up” a Waffle House special at No. 70: a 6’2″, 210-pound TD machine who’s always open and ready to serve defenses a nightmare in Big D. For a franchise hungry to take the next step, this could be the kind of value pick that pays dividends for years to come.
