In his latest mock draft, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus has the Pittsburgh Steelers trading up from No. 21 to No. 16 to select Indiana star wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. The New York Jets picked Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston at No. 21.
“Boasting a league-high 12 selections this year, the Steelers are a team to monitor regarding a trade-up in either the first or second round — and the transaction-minded Jets could oblige,” Locker wrote. “Pittsburgh will need possibly two starting-caliber offensive linemen, but new head coach Mike McCarthy may elect to round out his receiving corps instead. Cooper’s skill after the catch (career 6.6 yards after the catch per reception) and run-blocking acumen complement D.K. Metcalf and newcomer Michael Pittman Jr. very well.”
According to longtime NFL analyst Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports , the Steelers are intrigued by Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
“I’m told Cooper is in play for the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21 despite trading for Michael Pittman, and the New York Jets are also high on the speedy wideout, though they would only consider him with the 33rd pick,” Pauline wrote.
Cooper, who stands at 6-foot, 199 pounds, recorded 115 catches for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past three seasons. In 2025, Cooper broke out with 69 receptions for 937 yards (13.6 average) and 13 touchdowns. Cooper was Fernando Mendoza’s top receiver during Indiana’s historic 2025 season that ended in a National Championship title.
Cooper followed up his impressive collegiate career with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine.
“Cooper is building momentum amongst scouts and receiver coaches. He’s athletic and is a terrific pass catcher with a developing game, and people boast about his character,” Pauline wrote. “Cooper has spoken with every team from pick 18 to 36. The Carolina Panthers , who own the 19th selection, are bringing Cooper in for an official-30 visit. In a recent mock draft, I had the Panthers taking a receiver with that selection, though it was Jordyn Tyson.”
Cooper met with the Steelers at the NFL Combine.
“With the Steelers, I had the meeting. It was just because they were all new, so they just wanted to really know about me,” Cooper said. “They (were) just asking questions about myself, how I go day-to-day throughout the week to prepare for a game and just how I grew up, and so it was a great conversation I had with them.”
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com’s comp for Cooper is Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel .
“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape. While he was a full-time slot receiver in 2025, Cooper has played outside, as well. He can stem and drive past press with his strength,” Zierlein wrote in his scouting report. “He has potent early acceleration to climb past nickelbacks into top position to challenge deep. His routes lack polish and he has average in-and-out quickness at break-points, but he’s rugged once the ball is in his hands. His ability to add yards after contact could earn Cooper more carries than we saw from him at Indiana. Fighting for catch space and blocking for the running game are areas where he needs improvement. Cooper is an ascending slot bully with Day 2 value.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Trade Up for National Champion Wide Receiver in Latest Mock Draft
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