No player changed their perception more on the 2025 Kansas City Chiefs than Rashee Rice, who looked like a blossoming superstar to start the 2024 season until he sustained a season-ending injury. Sure, Rice had already had his noisy offseason, but his talent was undeniable and appeared to be taking the next step after a strong rookie campaign.
After serving a six-game suspension to start the season, Rice came out of the gates hot but quickly started to slow down as the level of competition rose. Several key drops and disappearing in some big moments quickly had Chiefs Kingdom wondering if the start of the 2024 season was an aberration.
Quietly, Rashee Rice is already entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2026. He’s played just 28 games for the Chiefs and still has many questions to answer about who he is on and off the field. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him traded simply so another team can give him a contract, or perhaps the Chiefs get a below-market deal done with him as he deals with plenty of legal costs. Maybe the Chiefs just let his contract year play out, hoping a fully healthy offseason and suspension-free season can tell the team who he is. Regardless, drafting over Rashee Rice’s skill set is not out of the question for 2026.
To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.
Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | 6-0 205 LBS
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) February 7, 2026
Compact, savvy slot who thrives over the middle, excels vs. zone, and creates YAC w/ balance, vision, Wins with tempo, body control, and IQ, but lacks vertical juice, elite catch radius, and a diverse route tree.
Shades of: Jalen Coker pic.twitter.com/JadvvbztNK
NFL Draft Profile: Omar Cooper Jr, Wide Receiver, Indiana
Age: 22 (on draft day)
Height: 6-00 (listed)
Weight: 205 LBS. (listed)
Tape Exposure: Iowa (2025), Oregon (2025), Michigan State (2025)
Shades of: Jalen Coker or Rashee Rice
Omar Cooper Jr.'s background
An Indiana native, Cooper attended Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. He was ranked as a three-star prospect by 247 Sports and committed to Indiana before Curt Cignetti arrived on campus. After redshirting his first season, Cooper found the field quickly. In three seasons as a starter, he logged nearly 1,800 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 15.6 yards per catch for the eventual national champions. Cooper went viral for his miraculous catch against Penn State to keep Indiana’s perfect season intact.
Omar Cooper Jr.'s strengths
Yards after the Catch
With his dense frame and powerful running style, Cooper turns into a running back with the ball in his hands. He has plus acceleration and average long speed. His 7.3 yards after the catch per reception rank in the 85th percentile among all FBS receivers.
Great at the Catch Point
Strong hands catcher who doesn’t get outmuscled for the ball. His 4.3 percent drop rate ranks in the 89th percentile, and his 50 percent contested catch rate ranks in the 71st percentile. His size helps him live over the middle of the field and absorb hits from defenders.
Route Running
Shows strong rhythm and timing in his routes, using subtle manipulation to disrupt defenders. Cooper keeps coverage guessing by changing speeds and stressing leverage, forcing defenders to stay off balance.
Omar Cooper Jr.'s weaknesses
Lack of Explosion
While Cooper is strong after the catch, he doesn’t have a top gear that helps him pull away from defenders. He’s not much of a threat in the vertical game and can gain chunks but rarely hits the bigger play.
Limitations on the Outside
While Cooper does have average to slightly above-average size, his best reps come in the slot. He’s not shown a consistent ability to win against press coverage at the line of scrimmage. Indiana’s RPO-heavy system limited his ability to develop a full route tree, particularly in the intermediate portion of the field.
Production Profile
Cooper has never had a 1,000-yard season, and his best years came when teammate Elijah Sarratt emerged and the ground game became a significant threat. This doesn’t mean he can’t grow at the next level, but right now the profile points more toward a role player than a WR1.
Is Omar Cooper Jr. just more of the same for the Chiefs?
One of the selling points of Jalen Royals was a similar profile to Rashee Rice—explosive after the catch. However, because of injury and lack of playing time, the Chiefs don’t really know who Royals is in a game setting. Omar Cooper Jr., Royals, and Rice feel like a lot of the same skill set and body type. That doesn’t mean it can’t work; it just means the Chiefs are probably admitting they are not high on Royals or are planning for life after Rice. Cooper has a useful skill set that might not suit the Chiefs, but if he falls, the Chiefs might still be tempted by his profile.
Omar Cooper Jr. is a compact, savvy slot receiver who thrives over the middle, excels versus zone, and creates YAC with balance and vision. He wins with tempo, body control, and IQ but lacks vertical juice, an elite catch radius, and a diverse route tree.
Round Grade: Red Chip (3rd round Grade)