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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers got some bad news after the 2026 NFL draft, in the form of a bold prediction about a late-round pick.

He’s a first-round pick boosted by having his fifth-year option already picked up by the Baltimore Ravens, but Zay Flowers got some bad news after the 2026 NFL draft, thanks to a bold prediction about one of the team’s Day 3 picks.

The prediction concerns fourth-rounder Elijah Sarratt. He was named one of the best fits from the final day of this year’s draft by Doug Farrar of Athlon Sports, whose expectations for Sarratt are ominous for Flowers.

As Farrar put it, “What Surratt also brings to the Ravens is an outstanding ability to win contested-catch battles, and when you combine that with his short-area movement skills in and around paydirt, and his knack for coming down with back-shoulder fade throws, it’s not hard to project Surratt as the team’s No. 1 receiver sooner than later.”

Flowers might not welcome those words, despite his own enthusiasm for the Ravens’ draft picks. The 25-year-old would surely be less than enthused about losing his undoubted status as the go-to wideout the Ravens are paying him to be in their offense.

Unfortunately for Flowers, there’s ample reason to believe Surratt can outplay his draft status and endorse Farrar’s prediction.

Elijah Sarrat Has Draft Steal Potential

Being dubbed “Waffle House” shows Sarratt’s well-earned reputation for making the ball stick. His sure hands and knack for getting open helped quarterback Fernando Mendoza cement his status as the top pick in this class.

Sarratt’s explanation of his rapport with Mendoza ought to be music to the ears of Ravens franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. As Sarratt revealed, “Fernando [Mendoza] has done a great job of putting it where I need it to be. My thing with the back-shoulder throws is just, you’re always trying to win over top. It’s a feel thing and then it’s just a trust between you and the quarterback. And that just happens. It doesn’t happen overnight; it just happens with reps throughout camp and practices. That’s all it is,” per Farrar.

Jackson has rarely had this kind of chemistry with a wideout. Even if Flowers has made a strong case as a credible volume target.

Zay Flowers Must Cement Status for Ravens

Posting back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards underlined Flowers’ value in this offense. So has the 22nd player taken in the 2023 draft being targeted over 100 times in each season since entering the pros.

He’s impressed, but without ever being dominant, so Flowers could be primed to be usurped as the first pass-catcher Jackson looks for when he drops back in the pocket.

If Flowers needs a reason to be optimistic Sarratt won’t take his spot, perhaps this note from Dane Brugler of The Athletic about how the rookie “might not be the best separator” will suffice. The problem is Brugler also noted Sarratt “plays with outstanding timing, reliability and a level of craftiness that will earn him early looks.”

All signs are pointing toward Sarratt muscling his way to the front of the wide receiver room during his debut campaign. Yet, new Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle would be smart to opt for a more complementary target share.

Sharing the touches makes sense because of the differences in how Flowers and Sarratt play the position. While the latter is a 6-foot-2, 213-pounder who can win vertically and outside the numbers, 5-foot-9 Flowers is at his shifty best working inside from the slot.

These contrasting styles mean the Ravens have the chance to field a truly dynamic and versatile double act at receiver for the first time in an age. Building this partnership carefully will be a better use of resources than choosing between Flowers and Sarratt as Jackson’s main target.