Jets could make surprise WR pick based on post-free agency mock draft

At this point, it is no secret that the New York Jets are expected to target a wide receiver early in the 2026 NFL Draft. After watching the top options land elsewhere in free agency, general manager Darren Mougey has had his hand forced.

The Jets have often been linked to USC’s Makai Lemon and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson in the first round of mock drafts. Ohio State product Carnell Tate even gets paired with New York from time to time.

NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah just threw a new name into the mix. In his mock draft after the initial wave of free agency, he paired the Jets with Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with the 16th overall pick.

Daniel Jeremiah connects Jets with Omar Cooper Jr. in latest mock draft

Nobody would be surprised to see the Jets draft a receiver at pick No. 16. Unless they take a swing on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, it’s the most obvious way to go. Still, it’s shocking to see Cooper come off the board this early.

The Indiana prospect has started to gain some first-round buzz recently. His body control, ball skills, and versatility make him an intriguing prospect. He was a touchdown machine as a Hoosier, scoring 20 times in the last two seasons. Still, the top half of the first round feels a bit rich for a player of his caliber.

The Jets do need to pair someone with Wilson. They haven’t been able to find another foundational receiver since drafting Wilson in 2022. But Cooper’s tape doesn’t instill much confidence that he could be a foundational piece in the NFL.

In this mock draft scenario, Tate, Lemon, and Tyson were all off the board by the time the Jets picked for the second time. Those three make up the top tier of receiver prospects in this class in the minds of most analysts.

Cooper is in the next group, along with players like Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion. Perhaps the Jets will be desperate enough to take a receiver in the first round, no matter who is available, but it’s surprising to see Cooper rise so high in a mock draft.

Fans in New York should familiarize themselves with Cooper as a prospect. This likely won't be the last time he's paired with the Jets.