The overwhelming speculation surrounding the No. 13 overall pick is that the Los Angeles Rams will take a receiver. Which one, though, remains to be seen, as experts differ on fit and hierarchy for the position in the 2026 draft class.
The Rams might get lucky, though, and have their pick of the litter at No. 13. And FOX Sports’ Eric Williams thinks they’ll select Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with their first-round selection.
Cooper isn’t the most polished route runner, but he’s physical at the catch point and can consistently make the first defender miss after the catch. Cooper is also a willing blocker and those are attributes Sean McVay values at the receiver position.
The Rams have one of the best receiver coaches in the business in Eric Yarber, and he can improve Cooper as a route runner. With the off-field issues with Puka Nacua, Cooper provides the Rams with a receiver who has a similar skill set as insurance. Cooper’s 20 receiving touchdowns over the last two seasons also stand out.
This may seem a little early for Cooper, who has been mocked anyway from this position to the early second round, but the Rams have the luxury of reaching on a player they covet. He won’t be there at their next pick at No. 61, either.
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Cooper had a tremendous final season at Indiana with 69 receptions for 937 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns. He was also named the “Ramsiest” receiver by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. Take that for what you will, but it may just be enough to get Cooper to the Rams at No. 13.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analysts predicts which WR Rams will draft at No. 13
