Omar Cooper Jr. continues giving Jets fans reasons to slow down overreactions
The Jet Press · Richard Louis · 2026-08-18T11:20:20+00:00 · nguồn gốc
The New York Jets are inching closer to the start of the regular season. Throughout the season, camp has given players the chance to show what they are capable of. The biggest winner thus far has been receiver Isaiah Williams, who has been the star of the summer.
That has led to some overreactions around Omar Cooper Jr., but the rookie's latest actions should give fans another reason to pump the brakes. Williams spoke to the media on Monday following practice, revealing that he and Cooper Jr. stayed after practice to catch 100-200 passes each on the Jugs machine.
That is just the latest example to show that Cooper is taking that extra step to improve, in addition to having a solid camp.
Omar Cooper Jr. keeps giving New York Jets fans another reason for optimism
ESPN's Rich Cimini reported that Williams may jump Cooper on the depth chart, and that sounded off the alarms around the rookie. The report doesn't mean that Cooper Jr. has been bad in any sort of way, but rather how good Williams has been.
For the first time in a long time, the Jets have depth at the position. They shouldn't take that lightly, and in the same breath, fans don't need to make it appear that Cooper Jr. has played badly. That isn't the case, as he's been solid in camp.
He made an impressive over-the-shoulder grab down the sideline earlier in the summer, showcasing impressive body control and good hands. In the preseason opener, Cooper Jr. finished with two catches for 31 yards, including a nice 26-yard gain over the middle.
The Indiana product got open throughout the night, which is a good sign. Fans must take into account the kind of player that Cooper Jr. is. He's someone who thrives after the catch and makes it tough for defenders to bring him down.
He can't fully display it in training camp. That part of his game will only pop out on game day, and we got a flash of that.
Cooper Jr. has dealt with rookie hurdles, but that's to be expected. Receivers usually need some time to adjust when coming from college, and he's going through that now. Yet that doesn't mean he's not impressing.
Staying after practice to catch 100-200 more passes shows his level of dedication. While Williams appears to be firmly ahead of Cooper Jr. on the depth chart, it doesn't mean it will stay that way for the entire season.
The NFL season is so unpredictable, and New York took Cooper Jr. in the first round for a reason. They like what he brings to the table. Williams' emergence this summer is a positive problem to have, but rest assured, the rookie is working tirelessly, and fans should be excited about what he can develop into.
The skill and mindset are there, so it's just a matter of time until everything clicks, but the signs are there.