Omar Cooper Jr.

Omar Cooper Jr. is a rookie wide receiver for the New York Jets, selected in the first round (30th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Indiana. A physical, tough-after-the-catch target, Cooper was a key weapon on Indiana’s 16-0 national championship team in 2025. He joins a Jets receiver room headlined by Garrett Wilson and gives quarterback Geno Smith another versatile pass-catcher.

Background & Path to the Jets

Cooper (listed at 6-0, 199 pounds) developed steadily at Indiana, redshirting in 2022 before working his way into the rotation and eventually emerging as the Hoosiers’ top receiver. During Indiana’s undefeated 2025 national title season, he led the team with 69 receptions for 937 yards (13.6 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns, serving as a primary target for quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors. On draft night in 2026, the Jets traded up — sending their first pick of Round 2 (33rd overall) plus a fifth-round compensatory selection (179th overall) to San Francisco — to move to No. 30 and select Cooper in the first round.

Career Statistics (College — Indiana)

Strengths

• Physical, contact-balanced runner after the catch; regarded as one of the toughest receivers in his class to bring down.
• Proven red-zone and touchdown production, with 13 scores in his final college season.
• Versatile alignment ability, capable of winning at multiple spots in the formation.
• Steady year-over-year development and big-game experience from a championship offense.

Weaknesses

• Limited high-volume production until his final college season, so the sample of elite output is relatively short.
• As a rookie, he must prove he can separate consistently against NFL-caliber cornerbacks.
• Will need to refine route-running nuance to handle a full pro route tree.

Fit With the 2026 Jets

Cooper steps into a Jets offense that features Garrett Wilson as the established No. 1 and a run game built around Breece Hall under head coach Aaron Glenn. With defenses focused on Wilson, Cooper’s physical play style and yards-after-catch ability make him a natural complementary target for veteran quarterback Geno Smith, particularly in the intermediate and red-zone areas where he thrived in college. As a rookie, he projects as a rotational and developmental contributor with the upside to grow into a featured second option opposite Wilson.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Omar Cooper Jr.?

Omar Cooper Jr. is a rookie wide receiver for the New York Jets, selected in the first round (30th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Indiana.

What did Omar Cooper Jr. do at Indiana?

During Indiana’s undefeated 2025 national championship season, Cooper led the team with 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors.

How did the Jets draft Omar Cooper Jr.?

On draft night in 2026, the Jets traded up, sending the 33rd overall pick and a fifth-round compensatory selection to San Francisco, to move to No. 30 and select Cooper in the first round.