TRADE: With the No. 30 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets have selected Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. The No. 25 overall player on Arif Hasan’s media consensus big board, Cooper is one of the most dynamic receivers in the draft, a true deep threat and electric after the catch.
The Jets gave up picks No. 33 and 179 for the No. 30 overall selection, which they used on Cooper.
A former four-star recruit from Indianapolis, Cooper had 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns as a redshirt junior in 2025. He was named second-team All-Big Ten after the season.
What are the New York Jets Getting in Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.?
GettyPASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: Omar Cooper Jr. #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers catches a touchdown during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
A 6-0, 199-pound receiver, Cooper ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, adding a 37-inch vertical jump.
In my final position rankings series for NFL Trade Rumors, I had this to say on scouting report:
“Cooper boasts great athleticism for the position,” I wrote. “He has such a natural acceleration, reaching top speed quickly while staying completely under control. His sudden stop/start ability and short-area quickness grant him immediate separation off the line with arguably the best release package in the game.”
“When Cooper wants to get open, you aren’t stopping him, and he knows what to do with the ball in his hands. After the catch, he weaves through the defense like a running back, using that top-end speed to pull away from would-be tacklers for huge gains.”
“With soft, reliable hands, Cooper catches everything thrown his way. He plucks the ball out of the air away from his body, securing tough passes in traffic and using his plus body control to make acrobatic catches outside of his area,” I continued.
“Physicality doesn’t bother him and he excels against press coverage, matching the cornerback’s intensity and winning at the catch point — if he doesn’t lose his man along the way. That contact balance shows up after the catch, too, and Cooper is both a willing and successful blocker. Teams that rely on their receivers as key blockers will love his tape.”
The New York Jets Reshaped Their Roster
With Texas Tech ED David Bailey, Oregon TE Keyon Sadiq, and now Cooper in the fold, the Jets have completely reshaped their roster in just the first round of the draft alone. Bailey adds pass rush juice, while Sadiq and Cooper make New York’s offense much more dynamic.
Specifically, New York’s passing game looks much better and more exciting. Sadiq and Cooper are some of the most productive after-the-catch receiving threats in the entire draft, and whomever the Jets start at quarterback in the future will have a plethora of weapons to utilize.
Cooper himself can work in the slot or on the outside. He’s a great downfield threat who can win 50/50 balls in the air and gash defenses with the ball in his hands. The Jets are a better team today than they were yesterday.
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