Jets may be zeroing in on surprising wide receiver target with No. 16 overall pick

The New York Jets would love to pick one of the top three wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft in Ohio State's Carnell Tate, USC's Makai Lemon, or Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson. However, it seems less likely than ever that one of that trio will slide to No. 16 overall.

Should the Jets be hellbent on picking a wide receiver with that selection, it seems like New York could lean on one of a trio of second-tier players in Washington's Denzel Boston, Texas A&M's KC Concepcion, or Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr.

ESPN's Jordan Reid has seemingly mentioned that the Jets have a favorite of that second tier of receiver, as he believes that Cooper has plenty of fans within the front office.

"The Jets are expected to be aggressive in boosting their wide receiver room, and Omar Cooper Jr. is one player they are reported to be extremely high on," Reid said in his latest rumor dump for ESPN. They view him as an ideal complementary WR2 to Garrett Wilson.

ESPN claims Jets are high on Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.

Cooper is kind of a one-year wonder who spent a big chunk of the year in the shadow of Elijah Sarratt, but he managed to step on the gas pedal near the end of the season, becoming Fernando Mendoza's top target. Cooper caught 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

Cooper is coming to the NFL without a ton of amazing route-running skills, and he isn't the quickest receiver ever. Where he excels, however, is catching anything thrown in the same zip code due to great ball skills, making plays with the ball in his hands, and eating zone coverage alive.

Cooper would immediately come to the Jets as the No. 3 wide receiver with Adonai Mitchell in front of him. The trio of Cooper, Mitchell, and the star that is Garrett Wilson would be the Jets' best trio of wide receivers (second half of 2024 notwithstanding) this team has had in years.

The Jets would certainly love to pick one of the top three receivers, but if Cooper is there at No. 16, the idea of what he could be in the right situation could be too enticing for the Jets to pass on him. Picking him at No. 16 and Reese or Bailey at No. 2 could be a solid way for Mougey to amplify the talent on this roster.