Though the Buffalo Bills may have more pressing areas of need, they undoubtedly need to address the receiver room. It was one of the bigger letdowns during the 2025 season, despite protestations from general manager Brandon Beane.
While fans would like a major move, the more likely reality is finding a solution through the NFL Draft. The Bills have a path to adequate salary cap space, but there are several names at receiver that make a lot of sense in the draft. One of the names that makes the most sense is Indiana's Omar Cooper, Jr.
Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 201 lbs
Expected 40-Yard Dash: 4.45-4.50
Recruiting: No. 299 nationally in the class of 2022, No. 43 WR, No. 9 player in Indiana
College Production: 115 receptions, 1,798 receiving yards, 22 touchdowns in 42 career games
Positives
- Great hands, makes contested catches on the regular.
- Runs through tackle attempts, forcing a ton of missed tackles.
- One of the best run-after-catch receivers in the draft, particularly in short areas.
- Has acceleration and vertical speed needed to be a home run threat over the top.
- Excellent on tracking deep balls, maintaining focus through the catch point.
- Shows willingness to be a good blocker and has a team-first mentality that many receivers don't have.
- Separates early on routes because of great release quickness, making him a threat on short and intermediate throws.
The Bills desperately need a receiver who can gain separation and beat coverage in all three areas. He doesn't have the size of some of the more enticing prospects, plus his sample size is relatively small despite 42 career collegiate games. Raw but promising in nearly every way.
Negatives
- Inconsistent efforts throughout his career have led to questions about commitment and dependability.
- Needs to work on his route tree, struggles diagnosing against man coverage.
- Sample size is limited in terms of production with 2025 being the standalone season.
- Blocking effort is good but technique needs refinement.
The physical traits are there, and he showed he can be an elite producer. That said, the sample size is small enough that it raises questions. Concerns over effort and reliability are the biggest issues; interviews will be critical to determining where his character is.
Omar Cooper Jr. NFL Player Comparison: Rashee Rice
Like Rice, Cooper Jr. is the kind of receiver that can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. He has the ability to push defenses back as an over-the-top threat, yet punish them underneath when they do back off. Rice also came with some off-field questions in terms of discipline and reliability.
Cooper Jr.'s Fit with the Buffalo Bills
The Bills desperately need someone who can gain separation in all three areas, particularly deep. Quarterback Josh Allen hasn't had a reliable deep threat since Stefon Diggs left town, and Cooper Jr. could be the man to become Allen's new favorite target.
Cooper Jr.'s ability to turn short throws into long gains will no doubt be enticing, especially in head coach Joe Brady's offense. If he can refine his run blocking and show that he is dependable on a daily basis, Cooper Jr. has the potential to be a steal late in the first round.
Omar Cooper Jr. NFL Draft Guide: Late Round 1-Early Round 2
Cooper Jr. is enticing when you have a quarterback who can throw it the length of the field like Allen can. He has things to work on that keep him from being an elite, top-of-the-draft prospect, but he has more than enough tools to be special.