Omar Cooper Jr.
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Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
The Washington Commanders could use a little toughness at wide receiver in 2026 — something that was in short supply at the position in 2025 as the team stumbled to a 5-12 record.
One sign that help might be on the way showed up at the team’s facilities on a Top 30 visit on Friday in the form of Indiana University wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
Cooper, 6-foot and 199 pounds, showed he might be ready to step in and help a team from Day 1 after helping lead the Hoosiers to a College Football Playoff national championship.
“Former Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. is visiting the Commanders today, per source,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero wrote on his official X account on Friday. “Cooper has had five visits so far, with four more scheduled after Washington.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler put Cooper as his No. 5-rated wide receiver in “The Beast” — his venerated annual draft guide.
“Cooper will be an attractive draft target for the NFL teams that put high value on ball skills and run-after-catch ability,” Brugler wrote. “He projects as an inside-outside receiver who can be weaponized when featured.”
Hoosiers Became College Football’s Greatest Story
Cooper led the Hoosiers with 69 receptions for 937 yards and 14 total touchdowns in 2025 as his team went 16-0 and won the 1st national championship in program history.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein doled out some high praise in comparing Cooper to former NFL All-Pro Deebo Samuel in his pre-draft evaluation after Samuel played for the Commanders in 2025.
Cooper did his part by showing up at the NFL scouting combine and running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds, firmly placing him in the conversation to be a 1st round pick, although he’s a borderline Day 1/Day 2 player at this point.
“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape,” Zierlein wrote. “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 … 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.”
Commanders Called Out for Free Agency Whiff
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame called the Commanders out for not improving at wide receiver in the 2026 free agency cycle.
“Washington did a terrific job in free agency, adding Odafe Oweh, Leo Chenal and others to buttress its defense,” Verderame wrote. “With Jayden Daniels hopefully healthy this season, the Commanders should bounce back … The defense ranked last in 2025, so even improvement doesn’t necessarily mean good. As for the offense, a healthy Daniels makes everything work, but the unit needs more than just Terry McLaurin to threaten opponents.”
It’s a safe bet the Commanders aren’t looking at Cooper to be a 1st round pick — he won’t be the No. 7 overall pick — but more likely keeping their fingers crossed he’s still around when they pick in the 3rd round (No. 71 overall).