The New York Jets are getting an up-close look at one of the top pass-catching targets in the 2026 NFL Draft.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid revealed on social media that the Jets are hosting Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr on a 30-visit on Monday, April 13.
“In need of WR help, he’s been a popular pairing with the team at No. 16 overall,” Reid added.
ESPN’s Field Yates revealed that Wednesday, April 15, is “the final day for teams to host prospects on pre-draft 30 visits.”
A Sneaky Favorite?
If the Jets want Cooper, they may have to pull the trigger with the No. 16 overall pick.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini said, “If the Jets can’t get [Fernando] Mendoza, maybe they can pick one of his receivers. Cooper could be in play at 16.”
On the “Jets Collective” podcast, Cimini confirmed that the Jets “like” Cooper.
Cimini’s ESPN teammate Jordan Reid reported that, “The Jets are expected to be aggressive in boosting their wide receivers room, and Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana) is one player they are reported to be extremely high on. They view him as an ideal complementary WR2 to Garrett Wilson.”
‘Physical receiver. Blocks his ass off. An Aaron Glenn type of player. Highly productive at Indiana.’
Cooper is on a 30-visit w/ NYJ today, according to Reid.
Would drafting Cooper at pick No. 16 be a reach? Probably.
According to the consensus big board, he is ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect in this draft class.
The Jets could try to do a mini trade down to pick up another asset and still land Cooper. However, at that point, you’re getting risky, and if you’re too cute, you risk losing out on a player you really like to try and pick up a somewhat inconsequential future asset.
“If you love the player, go get the player. I truly believe in that. If you love the player, go get him, regardless of what everybody thinks, regardless of positional value,” head coach Aaron Glenn said at the Annual League Meetings via ESPN.
The Right Type of Player the Jets Are Looking For
Cimini called Cooper, “[a] physical receiver. Blocks his [expletive] off. An Aaron Glenn-type player. Highly productive at Indiana.”
Cooper is 22, and he will turn 23 during his rookie season in 2026.
He didn’t put up gaudy numbers (outside of touchdowns) during his collegiate career. This past season, he had a career year in receptions (69), receiving yards (937), and touchdowns (13).
Those numbers ranked 25th, 31st, and tied for third in all of college football, per ESPN.
“Cooper made the catch of the year with his acrobatic toe-tap in the back of the end zone for the winning touchdown against Penn State, but he’s much more than that highlight. Cooper is an elite route runner who moves well through traffic and dominates the middle of the field. His ability to pick up yards after the catch is equally impressive, which allowed him to rack up 937 yards and 13 touchdowns on 69 catches last season. Cooper has slot and outside alignment experience and versatility, making him an ideal No. 2 receiver,” ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote.
Miller praised Cooper for being the “most explosive” and having the “best ball security” of any pass catcher in the 2026 NFL draft.
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