The Carolina Panthers, after reaching the playoffs for the first time in franchise history since 2017, will look to build on their momentum heading into the 2026 NFL season.

However, in order to repeat the success from this past year, it’s clear that general manager Dan Morgan must make additional moves this offseason to improve the current roster.

One of the top priorities the Panthers will likely address before next season is the team’s horrific pass rush, but looking at the offense, Morgan must fill some of the holes moving into the new year.

Outside of 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan and 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker, Carolina’s wide receiver corps lacks talented playmakers. And with fellow former first-round pick Xavier Legette failing to show signs of development, one name to look for in the 2026 NFL Draft is Indiana standout Omar Cooper Jr.

Throughout the course of the 2025 college football season, Cooper quickly made a name for himself on the Hoosiers’ National Championship-winning squad. In his 16 games this past year, the longtime Indiana wide receiver finished with 937 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on a surprising 69 catches.

Despite being the No. 2 option on offense behind fellow NFL Draft prospect Elijah Sarratt, Cooper managed to carve out a role with the Hoosier as a dynamic yards-after-the-catch receiver in 2025. His 7.2 yards after the catch per reception ranked 59th amongst all FBS wide receivers, according to PFF.

While Cooper primarily played in the slot for most of his time at Indiana, his tools as a pass catcher will allow him to find great success at the NFL level in the proper scheme.

Luckily for head coach Dave Canales, many analysts have compared him to Deebo Samuel and Rashee Rice, who are known for creating yards after the catch. This was exactly what the Panthers were looking for in Legette, which means the organization would finally find a player who could fill the role in 2026.

The issue with Carolina selecting Cooper, however, is the fact that he would likely spend a majority of his rookie season playing in the slot.

Coker, after returning from an injury earlier in the 2025 season, was the primary slot receiver for the Panthers in 2025, but at 6-foot-3, 215 lbs., he can easily transition to an outside role in the future.

Cooper is currently projected to land in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, which is a perfect spot for Morgan to take the Indiana product. This would also create more stability for quarterback Bryce Young in the passing game, as it gives him another reliable pass catcher.