The Carolina Panthers could look to add a number three wide receiver option this offseason to complement Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. So far, Xavier Legette has not lived up to being a first-round pick, totaling less than 900 receiving yards through his first two seasons, including nine drops (two in 2025). The Panthers would prefer to add a receiver who is a weapon after the catch, after ranking last in receiving yards after the catch last season.
Carolina Panthers host a sleeper slot receiver for a 30-visit
NFL Draft
Nov 8, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) makes a catch in the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
According to Jordan Reid of ESPN, the Panthers will host Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for a 30-visit. He is a talented slot receiver who can also line up outside, with strong hands, a low drop rate, an effective route runner, and a weapon after the catch. Thanks to his incredible breakout redshirt junior season, Cooper has since risen on draft boards, with many projecting him as a first-round pick who could fall into Carolina’s lap at 19.
Following Pro Day today, Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. will head to Carolina for a 30 visit with the Panthers, per source. They’ve done a lot of work on receivers and Cooper Jr. could be an option at No. 19 overall. pic.twitter.com/dBBgzMJV4E
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) April 1, 2026
Here’s a quick review of his 2025 campaign
Indiana Hoosiers, Omar Cooper Jr.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) runs down the sideline past Miami (FL) Hurricanes defenders Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Omar Cooper Jr. enjoyed a breakout redshirt junior campaign, setting career highs in receiving, leading the team in receptions and yards, and earning Second-Team All-Big 10 honors. Cooper hauled in 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns across 16 games, accounting for 83% of snaps in the slot. He gained 414 yards after the catch, posted three drops, and went seven of 12 for 236 yards and four touchdowns on passes of 20+ yards.
Also Read: “Back to Full Speed”: Indiana Hoosiers Offense Gets a Big Boost
Cooper wrapped up his four-year tenure at Indiana, totaling 115 receptions for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns in 42 games. He also gained 674 yards after the catch, posted five drops, a 4.6% drop rate, and a 134.3 passer rating.
“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. 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.”
He predicts he will eventually become a plus starter.