{"id":849306,"date":"2026-04-02T13:33:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T13:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849306\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T13:33:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T13:33:21","slug":"panthers-are-showing-their-hand-after-scheduling-a-visit-with-a-fast-rising-offensive-weapon-who-could-be-a-first-round-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/849306\/","title":{"rendered":"Panthers are showing their hand after scheduling a visit with a fast-rising offensive weapon who could be a first-round option"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Carolina Panthers have scheduled a 30 visit with one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft following his Pro Day.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Indiana
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIndiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) makes a catch for a touchdown Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, during the Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGrace Hollars\/IndyStar \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales spoke with reporters earlier this week at the NFL Annual Meeting and briefly spoke about the team\u2019s plans for the kind of player they hope to land with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this point, with the 19th pick, we really have an opportunity to bring a player in that can help us immediately. Who\u2019s that going to be?\u201d Canales explained. \u201cOf course, Dan (Morgan), Brandt (Tilis), and myself will always say we want to take the best available player. That\u2019s what we did last year. When we looked at who was available at that spot at eight, [Tetairoa McMillan] was the best player. And so we were able to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

While elaborating further, Canales floated three possible positions<\/a> in wide receiver, tight end, and safety as potential spots to land an impact player. Tight end and safety have been highly connected positions with many experts linking the Panthers to Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq and S Dillon Thieneman. Canales mentioning WR as well is intriguing. <\/p>\n

Carolina has selected a first-round WR in each of the last two drafts, in McMillan and Xavier Legette. If the Panthers go that route again, they\u2019ll be the first team since the Detroit Lions to draft a first-round WR in three consecutive drafts (Charles Rogers in 2003, Roy Williams in 2004, and Mike Williams in 2005). It\u2019s certainly a viable path for the Panthers and they\u2019re already showing their hand after their latest scheduled 30 visit.<\/p>\n

Carolina Panthers set to host Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. on a 30 visit<\/p>\n

According to ESPN\u2019s Jordan Reid, the Panthers are lining up a visit with Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. following his Pro Day on Wednesday. Reid added the team has done a lot of work on wide receivers and Cooper could be a first-round option.<\/p>\n

Following Pro Day today, Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. will head to Carolina for a 30 visit with the Panthers, per source. They\u2019ve done a lot of work on receivers and Cooper Jr. could be an option at No. 19 overall. pic.twitter.com\/dBBgzMJV4E<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Depending on how the board shakes out, multiple wide receivers could be available for the Panthers. In my latest seven-round mock draft<\/a> using the new A to Z Sports Mock Draft Simulator<\/a>, I had the Panthers selecting Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. Arizona State\u2019s Jordyn Tyson and USC\u2019s Makai Lemon are also potential options.<\/p>\n

Cooper has been a fast-rising name throughout the pre-draft process and the consensus now stands that he will be selected within the Top-32 picks. According to the A to Z Sports Mock Draft Database, Cooper has an average draft position of 32.13 and the highest he\u2019s been selected in our company mock drafts has been eighth overall.<\/p>\n

\u201cOmar Cooper, out of Indiana, isn\u2019t getting talked about enough,\u201d an AFC scout told A to Z Sports\u2019 Destin Adams<\/a>. \u201cHe has one of the most complete skill sets of any WR in this year\u2019s class. I think he can be a day one starter for a lot of teams and has the ability to fit multiple different molds teams could be looking to add in the draft.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cooper\u2019s positional versatility will be very appealing<\/a> to an offensive coach like Canales and can allow him to play anywhere alongside McMillan and Legette. He\u2019s also a physical player after the catch and when it comes to blocking. <\/p>\n

The Panthers are starting to do their due diligence on the top WRs in the class, and Cooper is a great first name to bring in on an in-person visit.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Aug\t\t<\/p>\n

Carolina Panthers News<\/p>\n

The Carolina Panthers are expecting a big season out of former first-round wide receiver Xavier Legette going into his third season with the team.<\/p>\n