.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
The New York Jets made two picks on the offensive side of the ball in Round 1, taking tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the 16th pick, and then trading back into the first round to draft wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with the 30th pick.
Of these two offensive picks in the first round, which is more likely to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award? According to ESPN's Ben Solak, it's Cooper. Sadiq wasn't even listed in his rankings for the award.
But, Solak doesn't think Cooper has much of a chance to win the award for two clear reasons: talent and opportunity in the Jets offense.
Why Omar Cooper Jr. is a long shot for OROY award
"However, the tight end duo of Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq, and the presence of running back Breece Hall, do put a damper on his expected volume," Solak writes.
With the offense for the Jets having plenty of weapons, not even including Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell, it looks likely Cooper will have a tough time seeing a lot of volume in the offense this year.
Lack of volume is some bad news for Cooper's odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Unless someone were to get hurt, or Cooper turns in one of the best rookie seasons ever, his odds to win the award are slim from a strictly an opportunity standpoint.
More: Jets 'absolutely cooked' in Round 1 of NFL Draft according to ESPN analyst
"Cooper is a tier below players such as Concepcion and Lemon as far as talent goes, and it's hard to see him producing the big games necessary to steal this award from a starting quarterback or productive back," Solak writes.
If the Jets do give Cooper a chance to thrive, Solak believes that his talent level isn't enough to get him over the hump and into the thick of the OROY race this year.
Makai Lemon and KC Concepcion, both picked before Cooper, were called more talented than the Jets' new WR.
From Solak's perspective, between Cooper's talent difference from some of the other rookies in this year's class, and the lack of opportunities likely on the horizon, he has some very low odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2026.
English (US)