Omar Cooper Jr. — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

Cooper announced himself in 2024 by leading the Big Ten in yards per catch (21.2), finishing with 28 catches for 594 yards and seven touchdowns while chipping in two carries (2/23/1). He built on that breakout in 2025, rounding out his game with Fernando Mendoza at quarterback (69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns, plus three rushes for 74 yards and a score).

A 10-catch, 207-yard, four-touchdown demolition of Indiana State in a 73-0 win was his highlight game, though his production dipped considerably over his final nine starts (2/2, 7/86/1, 6/32/1, 3/39/1, 3/64/1, 0/0, 3/45/1, 3/17/1, 5/71), where touchdowns (6) remained a big part of his stat line.

At the 2026 Combine, Cooper ran a 4.42 in the 40-yards dash, showcasing the speed that Indiana leaned on heavily, scheming him open on quick throws near the line of scrimmage, where he could do damage after the catch. His release is above average, and he brings a natural slot skill set to the NFL.

Route running is still a work in progress, but he's already a threat on slants, crossing routes, and isolated matchups downfield. Run blocking is a weak point. The traits, though, are hard to ignore. I see Antonio Brown in the way he creates separation, and Tyreek Hill in what he can do once he has space.

This home run hitter will be up and down in the NFL, making him a challenging player to time, even with WR2 snaps. My initial thought is 35 catches for 500 yards with a run at a handful of scores. Last year, only three players had more than 35 catches on the Jets (Mason Taylor – 44, Breece Hall – 36, and Garrett Wilson – 36).