Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Selecting a top-tier wide receiver at No. 21 overall is still in play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to longtime NFL analyst Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports, the Steelers are intrigued by Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
“I’m told Cooper is in play for the Pittsburgh Steelers at pick No. 21 despite trading for Michael Pittman, and the New York Jets are also high on the speedy wideout, though they would only consider him with the 33rd pick,” Pauline wrote.
Cooper, who stands at 6-foot, 199 pounds, recorded 115 catches for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past three seasons. In 2025, Cooper broke out with 69 receptions for 937 yards (13.6 average) and 13 touchdowns.
Then he followed up his impressive collegiate career with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine.
“Cooper is building momentum amongst scouts and receiver coaches. He’s athletic and is a terrific pass catcher with a developing game, and people boast about his character,” Pauline wrote. “Cooper has spoken with every team from pick 18 to 36. The Carolina Panthers, who own the 19th selection, are bringing Cooper in for an official-30 visit. In a recent mock draft, I had the Panthers taking a receiver with that selection, though it was Jordyn Tyson.”
Cooper met with the Steelers at the NFL Combine.
“With the Steelers, I had the meeting. It was just because they were all new, so they just wanted to really know about me,” Cooper said. “They (were) just asking questions about myself, how I go day-to-day throughout the week to prepare for a game and just how I grew up, and so it was a great conversation I had with them.”
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper is tackled during a game against Penn State on Nov. 8, 2025. — Matthew Lynch / Nittany Sports Now
Charles Davis of NFL.com has the Steelers selecting Cooper at 21st overall in his latest mock draft.
“The Steelers’ receiving corps got a boost from the acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis, but why stop there?” Davis wrote.
The Steelers have been thin at the wide receiver position in recent years, so adding more weapons certainly doesn’t hurt. You can never have enough receivers. A trio of DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and Cooper would be interesting to see in Mike McCarthy’s offense.
Devin Jackson of the Philadelphia Inquirer also recently predicted that the Steelers will use the No. 21 overall pick on Cooper.
“Cooper, who has the speed to run by a secondary and is hard to bring down in the open field, would be a nice complement to a receiver corps in Pittsburgh led by D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.,” Jackson wrote.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com’s comp for Cooper is Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape. 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,” Zierlein wrote in his scouting report. “He has potent early acceleration to climb past nickelbacks into top position to challenge deep. His routes lack polish and he has average in-and-out quickness at break-points, but 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.”
Mentioned In This Article: 2026 NFL Draft Indiana Hoosiers Omar Cooper Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Steelers News