Story by
Omar Cooper Jr., Kenyon Sadiq ready for a Jets takeoff — at the same time
- Story by
- Omar Cooper Jr., Kenyon Sadiq ready for a Jets takeoff — at the same time
jets
As roommates during Jets training camp, Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq had to learn how to take turns with each other.
Jets fans are ready to see what happens to the inconsistent offense when the two rookie first-round draft picks — who have three 100-yard receiving games and three Offensive Rookie of the Week Awards combined — stop alternating hold of the spotlight.
Advertisement
Take flight with the Jets
Text with Brian Costelloall season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.
"I know it's going to come," Cooper told The Post. "There's going to be a day when a few of us have a great day, so I'm looking forward to it."
Sunday against the Raiders would be good timing.
Sadiq dazzled with seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown from Geno Smith during Week 3, when Cooper was sidelined by a high ankle sprain . A healthy Cooper has recorded back-to-back 100-yard, one-touchdown games while Sadiq has gone quiet (four catches for 21 yards over the past four games).
Advertisement
Drafted to take playmaking pressure off Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, the duo already accounts for one-third of the nine non-Wilson 100-yard receiving games the Jets have since 2022. Hall accounts for two of the other six out of the backfield.
New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (11) runs with the ball as Miami Dolphins cornerback Chris Johnson (3) chases him at MetLife Stadium. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post
"It's only one ball, and Garrett has to get it, Braelon [Allen] has to get it, Sadiq has to get it, Mason [Taylor] has to get it," head coach Aaron Glenn said. "So each week things are different. We have some other guys that can make plays too."
Cooper's arrow is pointing up because he didn't let a slow start in training camp — when he was losing first-team reps to Isaiah Williams — and an injury in Week 1 spiral. That has been a formula for many a wasted rookie season across the NFL.
Advertisement
"Just belief in the game plan and being in the right spot to be a reliable target, knowing Geno is going to put it where it needs to be," Cooper said. "Throughout my whole recovery, I made sure I trusted my faith and wasn't going to get down on myself because I'm missing out while they were out there having fun. I was in the playbook, paying attention in the meetings, taking notes, so when I was ready to come back I wasn't all the way behind."
Sadiq was advertised as a versatile weapon in the NFL's growing age of multiple tight-end formations. He has lined up in the backfield, in-line, in the slot and out wide but only has 17 touches in seven games.
Sadiq didn't miss any games after suffering a concussion in Week 5. Only two of his catches have come on routes deeper than 10 yards.
Advertisement
"I've done that my whole career — learn the offense as a whole and go from there," Sadiq said. "My targets might not be up, but somebody else is doing well. Mason and Omar are both having great games.
"I don't have any complaints. I think it's about just keeping the offense in rhythm, and good things will come for everybody."
New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq (16) completes a reception during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium, Oct. 25, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post
The Giants are a prime example of how a receiver (Malik Nabers) and a tight end (Isaiah Likely) can play off each other to confuse coverages. Maybe it's Cooper-Sadiq, maybe it's Wilson-Taylor.
"In the future, that's definitely the goal," Cooper said. "We'd definitely be excited if that does happen. I'm thankful for the receivers around me I'm learning from and for having a veteran quarterback."
Advertisement
The answer to the Jets jump-starting frustrated No. 1 target Wilson — held to six catches in back-to-back losses — could lie in continuing to have the rookies assert that they need to be respected by defenses.
"We're just supporting each other, checking in with each other," Sadiq said. "We just want each other to succeed. Being happy for someone when they go out and make a play is huge."
The Jets aren't discriminating among four tight ends based on draft status. Snaps are to be earned.
"We play quite a bit of 13 personnel [one running back, three tight ends], so that fits us well with what we want to do," Glenn said. "So, I'll continue to be excited about how that room is improving and it's so much mix and matching you can do with those guys."
Advertisement
Cooper has been especially dangerous against man coverage. He ranks second among NFL rookies with 121 receiving yards against man coverage and leads all NFL pass catchers with a minimum of 45 routes with a 12.2 percent explosive catch rate, per NexGenStats.
Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (11) runs a drill during practice in Florham Park, N.J., Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. Bill Kostroun for NY Post
Beyond attacking the Raiders secondary, Cooper's plans for Sunday include a jersey swap with his former Indiana quarterback, Raiders backup Fernando Mendoza.
"I need that jersey," Cooper laughed. "That'll be my first Indiana player I've swapped with. Our connection helped us to get the places we want to be."
