What the New England Patriots do in the 2026 NFL Draft after losing in Super Bowl LX will be one of the biggest storylines late in the first round. The Patriots addressed both of their biggest needs in 2026 NFL free agency — edge rusher and wide receiver. But New England could target those positions again, especially if it meant giving quarterback Drake Maye another pass-catcher.
A trade up the draft board is a possibility too. But in his newest 2026 NFL mock Draft on Monday, NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice predicted the Patriots to stay at No. 31 overall and select Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
“The Romeo Doubs pickup was solid, but Drake Maye’s receiving corps still isn’t up to snuff following the release of Stefon Diggs,” wrote Filice. “Cooper’s a well-rounded player with a mature game that could immediately fill the slot role in New England.”
Cooper led the Hoosier with 69 catches and 937 receiving yards last season. He also had 13 receiving touchdowns for the national champions.
The Patriots could add Cooper to immediately upgrade their receiving corps, which features Romeo Doubs after NFL free agency. And adding Cooper wouldn’t disrupt anything New England might still do to acquire Philadelphia Eagles receiver A.J. Brown.
What Omar Cooper Jr. Could Give QB Drake Maye
GettyNFL draft analysts predict Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Cooper is one of the most physical receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft class. That makes him an ideal pass-catcher to play the slot.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein referred to him as a “slot bully.”
“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape. While he was a full-time slot receiver in 2025, Cooper has played outside, as well,” wrote Zierlein.
“Fighting for catch space and blocking for the running game are areas where he needs improvement. Cooper is an ascending slot bully with Day 2 value.”
Zierlein also compared Cooper to former All-Pro Deebo Samuel. With the San Francisco 49ers, Samuel was a Swiss-army knife, contributing as an outside receiver, slot weapon and even running back.
While Cooper had a rushing touchdown last season, pundits don’t expect him to play a major role in the running game.
Still, his playmaking ability is undeniable. With Cooper, the Patriots would have a new offensive player that they should want to feed the ball as much as possible.
Patriots WR Depth Entering 2026 NFL Draft
GettyNFL.com’s Gennaro Filice predicted the New England Patriots to select Omar Cooper Jr. to give quarterback Drake Maye another pass catcher.
As previously mentioned, the Patriots added Doubs this offseason. They could also still trade for Brown.
With the amount of smoke around the Patriots and Brown, it’s fair to say that’s expected to happen.
So, it’s worth wondering if the Patriots should also target a receiver at No. 32 overall. But because of Cooper’s versatility, New England could do that, playing all three receivers together to bolster its pass-catching weapons for Maye.
Cooper could play in the slot and immediately make an impact as a rookie. That role mostly belonged to Mack Hollins in New England last season, but Hollins will turn 33 years old in September.
Drafting Cooper and trading for Brown would mean fewer opportunities for Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas as well. Both youngsters had at least 440 receiving yards last season.
On one hand, that’d be a shame. But upgrading their receiving corps with Doubs, Cooper and Brown might be too hard to pass up for the Patriots.
Patriots Encouraged to Add ‘Slot Bully’ to Give Drake Maye Another Pass-Catcher