Scouting Future Saints: Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

As the 2025 NFL season wound down, it was clear that the New Orleans Saints lacked the necessary weapons at wide receiver. The Saints are expected to change that in the 2026 NFL Draft. Most expect them to address the position early on, likely in their first few picks. Wideout Omar Cooper Jr. of the national champion Indiana Hoosiers is one of several names that have been linked to the team.

New Orleans is expected to sign Chris Olave to a contract extension this offseason. Beyond Olave, Ja'Lynn Polk and Devaughn Vele have shown potential but are still largely unproven, and the rest of the depth chart has provided little. After an outstanding season with the Hoosiers, Cooper has ascended up draft boards rapidly.

Omar Cooper Jr. bio

• Position: Wide receiver
• College: Indiana Hoosiers
• Height: 6-feet
• Weight: 199 pounds
• 40-yard dash: 4.42 seconds
• 10-yard split: 1.55 seconds
• Vertical jump: 37"

A football, basketball, and track standout at Lawrence North High School in Indiana, Cooper was convinced to keep his talents close to home with the in-state Hoosiers. He'd redshirt as a freshman in 2022 and saw moderate action with 18 catches and 267 yards with 2 scores the following season. In 2024, Cooper had his first extensive action and responded with 28 receptions for 594 yards and 7 touchdowns, with his 21.2 yard average per catch leading the Big Ten conference.

Cooper had his breakout campaign with the undefeated national champs in 2025. He led Indiana with 69 catches and 937 yards, scoring 13 times to finish second in the Big Ten behind only teammate Elijah Sarratt. Those numbers earned Cooper 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors.

Strengths

• Excellent red zone threat
• Physical off the line to beat press
• Outstanding focus and body control in traffic