Jets' most likely pick at 16th overall is 13-TD Indiana wide receiver

Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

Jets' most likely pick at 16th overall is 13-TD Indiana wide receiver originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There are a few clear needs that the New York Jets should be looking to address in the 2026 NFL Draft. While quarterback is one of those needs, that's an issue down the board without a great second option after Fernando Mendoza.

With edge the most likely pick at No. 2 overall, the other clear need left for the Jets would be wide receiver. The Jets own the 16th pick in Round 1 and should be able to find a WR at that selection.

And according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, the most likely pick at No. 16 overall is indeed a wide receiver, and more specifically, teammate of Mendoza at Indiana, Omar Cooper Jr.

Jets' most likely pick at 16 is Omar Cooper Jr.

"... but if the Jets are simply looking to add the best possible pass catchers to support Garrett Wilson and Geno Smith, Cooper might wind up being the top option on the board," Rosenblatt writes.

While the consensus likely has USC's Makai Lemon or Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson as the better wide receiver prospects in this year's draft class, the Jets have been strongly linked to Cooper a lot lately.

It would not be a surprise at all if Cooper was the pick at 16th overall, as the "noise has gotten louder that the Jets like Cooper quite a bit," Rosenbalt writes.

With such interest in Cooper and the big need at wide receiver, it's hardly a surprise that he's listed as the most likely pick at No. 16 overall.

More: Zachariah Branch would be ideal round 2 fit for Jets

Tyson and Lemon have a chance to be selected before the Jets pick, and there is even a chance that Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey might go Cooper over either of those other WRs anyway.

Cooper caught 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns for Indiana last year, and would be a great WR to pair with Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell in the Jets offense.

While one of Arvell Reese or David Bailey seems to be the pick at No. 2 overall, No. 16 is a lot more up in the air. But, if there were a frontrunner, based on how likely they are to make it to that pick, and the Jets perceived interest, Cooper looks to be the clear favorite.

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• Jets predicted to trade up for Ty Simpson like Giants did for Jaxon Dart
• Aaron Glenn announced Geno Smith as Jets starting QB for 2026
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