Florham Park, N.J. — Throughout training camp, New York Jets first-round rookie Omar Cooper Jr. hasn’t particularly thrived, while other wide receivers, such as Isaiah Williams, quickly hit their stride.
In the Jets’ preseason opener, Williams was the team’s starting slot receiver in 11 personnel packages. Cooper Jr. did not enter the game until the backups came in.
Given that, a large portion of the team’s fanbase has begun to overreact regarding Cooper Jr.’s start to the summer.
But Jets fans shouldn’t worry about the Indiana product whatsoever.
Why Jets fans shouldn’t be concerned with Cooper Jr.
First off, just because Williams has impressed, it doesn’t mean Cooper Jr. is having a bad camp.
Cooper Jr. is one of those players who is tough to evaluate on a practice field due to his style of play.
He is the type of player who thrives on forcing missed tackles in space, as evidenced by his 27 forced missed tackles last year at Indiana, the fourth-most among FBS receivers. Cooper Jr. forced missed tackles on 39% of his receptions, which was the best among receivers in this year’s draft class.
That physical play style could be difficult to assess in training camp, particularly as a rookie, when numerous veterans above him on the depth chart each demand targets.
Since hiring Aaron Glenn, the Jets have always wanted rookies to earn their roles. In 2025, on the team’s first unofficial depth chart, second-round pick Mason Taylor was listed as the second-string tight end behind Jeremy Ruckert. Yet, Taylor went on to start the season opener.
During the Jets’ preseason opener, Cooper Jr. did all anyone really could have asked. On just three targets, he reeled in two of them for 31 yards, including a solid 26-yard catch and run.
While Williams started Friday’s game and Cooper Jr. ran with the second-team offense, the former didn’t get targeted.
Just because Williams has stood out throughout training camp doesn’t mean fans should be panicking about the organization’s first-round pick whatsoever. His performance on Friday night reaffirmed that thought process.
There is still plenty of time for New York to iron out their wide receiver rotation. We will have a much better idea of where Cooper stands once the regular season rolls around.
For now, though, Cooper has been perfectly fine. Rookies’ training camp performances commonly fluctuate in their first summer.
No, he hasn’t been a star of the summer like No. 2 overall pick David Bailey, and Williams has earned the attention he’s receiving, but Cooper also hasn’t done anything to warrant legitimate concern.
There is no reason to worry about the Indiana product yet.
