2026 NFL Draft: Grading the Jets' selection of Omar Cooper at No. 30
The Jets rewrite the book on value by trading back into Round 1 and landing Omar Cooper Jr. at 30.
If that isn’t value, what is? The New York Jets traded their way back into Round 1 and walked away with Omar Cooper Jr. at No.
30 overall. He's a player many believed would have been a perfectly acceptable selection earlier in the evening. Simply put, regardless of how one defines draft success, this certainly checks every box.
General manager Darren Mougey didn't panic. He didn’t force anything earlier than was necessary. Instead, he and his staff trusted the board, allowed things to unfold, and struck when the value aligned with their evaluation.
That takes discipline, and it reflects well. It also completes a fascinating first round. After selecting David Bailey second overall and adding Kenyon Sadiq at No.