If you are wondering how committed the Philadelphia Eagles are to trading 3-time NFL All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown this offseason, taking a wide receiver in the 1st round of the 2026 NFL draft might be the sign you’re looking for.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter’s latest 7-round mock draft predicts the Eagles will do just that, with Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. slotted to Philadelphia with the No. 23 overall pick.
The 1st round of the draft is Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh.
“Cooper’s strength, speed and elite body control should allow him to make a smooth transition to the Eagles’ offense as a rookie,” Reuter wrote. “He’d be a godsend in the event of an A.J. Brown trade.”
Eagles Hosted Omar Cooper for Official Top 30 Visit
The Eagles got a face-to-face look at Cooper when they hosted him on an official Top 30 visit in early March — after he teamed with projected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza to lead the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and national title.
Cooper followed that up by wowing teams at the NFL scouting combine with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash.
“Source: The Philadelphia Eagles will host Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr for a (Top) 30 visit,” NFL reporter Ryan Fowler wrote on his official X account on Tuesday. “One of the premier wideouts in the class could be a target at 23.”
Cooper, 6-foot and 199 pounds, led the Hoosiers with 69 receptions for 937 yards and 14 total touchdowns in 2025 as his team went 16-0 and won the 1st national championship in program history.
Omar Cooper Draws Comparison to NFL All-Pro WR
Few people know as much about the draft as longtime NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein, so when he makes a comparison, most people sit up and listen.
In Cooper’s case, Zierlein doled out some high praise in comparing Cooper to free agent wide receiver and former NFL All-Pro Deebo Samuel in his pre-draft evaluation.
“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape,” Zierlein wrote. “While he was a full-time slot receiver in 2025, Cooper has played outside, as well. He can stem and drive past press with his strength. He has potent early acceleration to climb past nickelbacks into top position to challenge deep … he’s rugged once the ball is in his hands. His ability to add yards after contact could earn Cooper more carries than we saw from him at Indiana. 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.”
Positive Reaction to Philly Hosting Omar Cooper
The Eagles last drafted a wide receiver in the 1st round in 2021, when they took Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith. Through his first 5 seasons with the Eagles, Smith has 385 receptions for 5,109 yards and 31 touchdowns.
“(Cooper) is so dope man, he’d be a fan favorite in Philly for a while,” Draft Day Trade’s Jake Rabadi wrote on his official X account.
“Omar Cooper Jr. is a really good player, especially after the catch he is so dangerous,” NJ.com Eagles reporter Cayden Steele wrote. “He would be a fun addition. Eagles looking at first-round wide receiver prospects . Preparing for the potential exit of A.J. Brown? I expect them to bring in other early-round wideouts for pre-draft visits.”
Eagles Projected to Land 13-TD ‘Godsend’ Big Ten WR in 1st Round