Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) runs down the sideline past Miami (FL) Hurricanes defenders Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
The Los Angeles Rams have the No. 13 and No. 29 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
CBS Sports analyst Bryant McFadden said the Rams should prioritize drafting a cornerback like Jermod McCoy with the No. 13 pick. And with the No. 29 pick, McFadden urges Los Angeles to draft Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper.
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McFadden explained how wide receiver Tutu Atwell will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Meanwhile, veteran wide receiver Davante Adams is entering the final season of a two-year contract with the Rams and could retire after next season.
Therefore, the Rams need another star wide receiver to pair with Puka Nacua in the future.
“Now I come back with the 29th and take Omar Cooper, talented wide receiver,” McFadden said in CBS Sports’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft. “The reason why I do this is because you got Puka [Nacua], you got Davante [Adams]. Clearly, Davante is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, right? Not knowing what’s going to happen with Tutu Atwell. You got the tight end production who I love. I think they had three of the top three tight ends on their team in terms of how to utilize those guys,” McFadden said.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) runs down the sideline past Miami (FL) Hurricanes defenders Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Photo Credit: Grace Hollars/IndySt | 2026 Jan 19
McFadden Compared Cooper to Nacua
Cooper is a top draft prospect in 2026 and reportedly had 17 meetings with NFL teams at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday alone, according to ESPN’s Jordan Reid.
McFadden compared Cooper’s mentality and toughness to Nacua but said Cooper also offers the Rams position versatility and speed.
“Bringing in a guy like Omar Cooper, who’s a versatile player, and he’s a hard-nosed football player that happens to play the wide receiver position. You can do so many different things with him. And just imagine Sean McVay getting his hands on a guy like a Puka Nacua in terms of his mentality and the toughness, but he also has the versatility and the speed and the sure hands. Great playmaker to add to that offense that’s already explosive.”
Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) scores a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Cooper is coming off a strong collegiate career with Indiana that ended with winning the program’s first national championship in history. The second-team All-American finished the 2025 season ranked No. 3 in the nation with 13 receiving touchdowns.
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Photo Credit: Grace Hollars/Indy St | 2026 Jan 19
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