The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Michael Pittman Jr. last month to finally fix the WR2 issue plaguing the team for years — but they may not be done at the position yet. According to draft insider Tony Pauline, the Steelers have their eyes on Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. in the first round.
“I’m told Cooper is in play for the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21 despite trading for Michael Pittman,” he wrote via Essentially Sports. “And the New York Jets are also high on the speedy wideout, though they would only consider him with the 33rd pick.”
Cooper’s big moment came against Penn State, in the closest thing Indiana came to a loss during the 2025 season. Fernando Mendoza found him in the back of the end zone for a toe-tapping, game-winning score. That is the type of moment that sticks with scouts, and his full body of work does plenty to back it up.
In 16 games, Cooper caught 69 passes for 937 yards and a whopping 13 TDs, adding another score and 74 yards on the ground.
“Cooper is building momentum amongst scouts and receiver coaches,” Pauline wrote. “He’s athletic and is a terrific pass catcher with a developing game, and people boast about his character. Cooper has spoken with every team from pick 18 to 36.”
Pauline also noted that Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson are the consensus top three wide receivers with a fierce debate around the league between Cooper and KC Concepcion for the fourth best of the group. The Steelers haven’t had either in for a pre-draft visit yet, but around half of the list is yet to be announced. With other top receivers like Denzel Boston and Germie Bernard on the list, it would make sense for the Steelers to host some of the other top receivers in the final few weeks before the draft.
At 6001, 199 pounds, Cooper ran an impressive 4.42-second 40-yard dash and jumped 37 inches in the vertical. With two big-bodied receivers on the outside, Cooper would give the Steelers a nice change of pace with an all-around threat capable of playing inside and out with technical route running, good hands, and the ability to create after the catch.
At the NFL Combine, Cooper noted how much he would like to play next to a receiver like DK Metcalf.
“I feel like me and him would be able to complement each other really well,” Cooper said during his Combine media session. “DK Metcalf is a really great player, and so just being able to learn from him and grow, I feel like that’d help my football career a lot. And just to see how special of an athlete he is, it’s been fun to watch him.”
Maybe he will get that opportunity after all.
Check out our full scouting report on Omar Cooper Jr. below.
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