With four weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, the New York Jets aren’t just playing out the string-they’re positioning themselves for a pivotal offseason. Thanks to a bold trade deadline strategy from general manager Darren Mougey, the Jets now hold two first-round picks in both the 2026 and 2027 NFL Drafts. That kind of draft capital gives them real flexibility as they look to reshape a roster that’s undergone some major changes.
One of the biggest moves came when the Jets shipped All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, netting one of those extra 2026 first-rounders. That followed the earlier trade of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, another foundational piece of the defense.
So, yes-there’s no question the Jets will need to reinvest heavily on that side of the ball. But the offensive side of the equation?
That’s just as pressing.
Even with Garrett Wilson locked in as WR1 when healthy, New York has been searching for a consistent second option in the passing game. The wide receiver room has been a revolving door of injuries and inconsistency, and the slot position in particular has been a black hole. That’s where Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. starts to come into focus.
Cooper, a redshirt junior, has been steadily building his résumé in the Big Ten, but 2025 was the year he truly popped. He finished the season with 804 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 58 catches-production that’s turned heads and vaulted him onto draft boards. His career totals-1,665 yards and 20 touchdowns across 39 games-show a player who’s been productive and reliable, but it’s the breakout this year that’s driving his rise.
At 6-foot, 204 pounds, Cooper brings a physical presence to the slot. He’s not just a possession receiver-he’s a yards-after-catch threat who can turn short throws into chunk plays.
That kind of skill set is exactly what the Jets have been missing. While he’s taken some snaps on the outside, Cooper has done most of his damage from the slot, with teammate Elijah Sarratt handling the boundary duties for Indiana.
That versatility will only help his case at the next level.
Right now, Cooper ranks as the No. 15 wide receiver and the No. 93 overall prospect on PFF’s 2026 Big Board. That might not scream “first-round lock,” but in a deep and talented receiver class, it could work in the Jets’ favor. With so many big names expected to go early, a player like Cooper could be available in the latter half of the first round-or even early in the second-giving New York a shot at value without reaching.
The potential fit with the Jets is intriguing, especially under offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Back in Detroit, Engstrand helped design an offense that featured Amon-Ra St.
Brown as a high-volume, high-impact slot weapon. If Engstrand sees shades of that in Cooper-and the tape suggests there are some similarities-then the Jets may have found a blueprint for how to unlock his potential.
There’s still a long way to go before draft day, and the Jets have plenty of decisions to make. But with two first-round picks and a clear need for offensive firepower, Omar Cooper Jr. is a name worth watching. He might not be the flashiest prospect in the class, but his skill set could be exactly what this Jets offense needs to take a step forward in 2026.