At the start of 2026 NFL free agency, the San Francisco 49ers made a splash move by signing longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal.
Despite adding a superstar in free agency, the 49ers are predicted to add to their wide receiver room by drafting Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
49ers Double Down on Wide Receivers by Drafting Omar Cooper Jr.
PFSN’s Jacob Infante predicts that San Francisco, with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, will select Cooper.
Infante noted that although the 49ers added Mike Evans in free agency, the team remains thin at wide receiver. He explained that San Francisco would need an infusion of talent at the position to complement George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey in the passing game, particularly with Ricky Pearsall still relatively unproven.
“Omar Cooper Jr. is an impressive wide receiver with strong ball skills, coordination, and strong hands,” Infante wrote. “He adjusts well to the ball in the air and can consistently make plays after the catch with his agility and toughness. If he continues to develop as a route runner, he has the potential to be an impact starter.”
Despite trading Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders and not having Brandon Aiyuk after a year full of drama between player and team, the 49ers finished in PFSN’s Offensive Impact Metric ranked as the fourth-best team with an impact score of 85.2 and a letter grade of B.
As a redshirt junior, Cooper spent four seasons with the team. He didn’t play meaningful time until the 2024 season, when he recorded 28 receptions for 594 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
In addition to that, he led the Big Ten Conference with 21.2 yards per reception. In PFSN’s 2024 College Football Impact Metric (CFB WRi), he ranked as the 53rd-best wide receiver with an impact score of 79.0 and a letter grade of C+.
Cooper took it to the next level during the 2025 season, significantly increasing his production. In 16 games, Cooper recorded 69 receptions for 937 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. In PFSN’s 2025 CFB WRi, he ranked as the 10th-best wide receiver in the country with an impact score of 83.0 and a letter grade of B-.
Not only will playing alongside a veteran presence like Evans help with Cooper’s development, but Brock Purdy ranked as the top quarterback in PFSN’s NFL Quarterback Impact Metric with an impact score of 92.1 and a letter grade of A-. Cooper will have the opportunity to be an impact player with the 49ers for years to come.
