Should the 49ers draft Omar Cooper Jr.?
Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. flew up draft boards with an impressive 2025 campaign. His nuanced route running, reliable hands, and impressive elusiveness after the catch make him an enticing prospect on day two. The San Francisco 49ers should be particularly interested, as he would fill a major positional need and give Kyle Shanahan another dynamic weapon at his disposal.
The 49ers had one of the best receiving groups in the NFL a few years ago. However, Brandon Aiyuk has dealt with injuries and personal conflicts within the building. Additionally, Deebo Samuel was shipped off last offseason, leaving the group with less depth. They drafted Rickey Pearsall in the first round, but he has yet to develop into a star. This is why drafting Cooper would be wise and could help take some of the pressure off of Christian McCaffrey.
The 6-foot-0, 204-pound receiver was critical in Indiana’s National Championship run. He had 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025, despite splitting targets with fellow prospect Elijah Sarratt. He worked primarily out of the slot and was a valuable option for Fernando Mendoza.
Cooper is an amazing route runner. He expertly uses tempo and physicality to help create separation from the defensive back. He has a full route tree, but excels at out-breaking routes. This was evident last year, as he was frequently targeted and succeeded in these situations. He has precise routes and a clear understanding of space, which allows him to consistently find open gaps against zone coverage.
Cooper has outstanding hands and frequently brings in off-body catches. This was epitomized when he made the game-winning catch of the year against Penn State in the back of the endzone. He has spectacular body control and focus that help him reel in any pass the quarterback throws at him. He only has a 4.2% drop rate in his career.
He isn’t known for his ability after the catch, but Cooper is electric and constantly makes defenders miss. He is tied for fourth in the league among wide receivers with 27 missed tackles forced. He has a mix of elusiveness paired with the balance and power to run through arm tackles. He’s a weapon in screens and can create dynamic plays when given the ball in space.
Overall, Omar Cooper Jr. would be a fantastic day-two option who would be a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He would fill one of the 49ers biggest positional needs and pair with Ricky Pearsall to form an explosive position group for the foreseeable future.