The New York Jets traded back into the first round of the 2026 NFL draft to select former Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Later in the second round, general manager Darren Mougey selected fellow Hoosiers cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. The move reunites Cooper and Pounds as teammates after they won a National Championship together this past season.
Cooper and Ponds recently participated together at rookie minicamp. Naturally, Cooper was asked about continuing his relationship with Ponds in East Rutherford. The first-round wideout smiled ear-to-ear while discussing the incredible outcome.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t believe you,” Cooper responded to a question about envisioning him and Ponds landing on the same NFL team. “Both of us on the same team? That definitely caught me off guard. The fact that it happened is insane. It still hasn’t hit me yet.”
Cooper is a strong contender to be WR2 in Frank Reich’s offense opposite Garrett Wilson. He should have a strong role in the offense. Meanwhile the versatile, undersized Ponds should contend both at boundary cornerback and at the nickel. The Jets appear primed to get big-time rookie contributions from both Cooper and Ponds. Reuniting them was a brilliant idea by Mougey, who got two pro-ready prospects.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets rookies D’Angelo Ponds, Omar Cooper Jr. thrilled to be teammates
Reporting by Justin Melo, Jets Wire / Jets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
