RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Omar Cooper Jr.'s preseason debut reveals concerning depth chart status originally appeared on The Sporting News .
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The New York Jets just played their first preseason game, losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-16. Despite the loss, a lot was learned about this team.
In this first NFL action, seeing the rookies perform is a huge topic. For the Jets, Cade Klubnik looked good, and David Bailey didn't get a whole lot going in limited snaps. But Omar Cooper Jr. was on the field plenty Friday night.
The issue, though, as ESPN's Rich Cimini highlighted, is that Cooper isn't a part of the first-team offense. His depth chart status is a bit concerning, as he seems to firmly be the WR4 at best right now for the Jets offense.
Omer Cooper Jr. WR4 at best for Jets after preseason
"First-round wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. got into the open field for a 26-yard reception while playing with the backups," Cimini writes. "He was leapfrogged on the depth chart by Isaiah Williams."
Heading into this preseason game, there was plenty of buzz about Cooper ceding WR3 reps to Isaiah Williams during training camp.
But with this first preseason game come and gone, those reports are confirmed to be true, and Cooper seems to be firmly the team's No. 4 WR right now.
That obviously could change as the regular season rolls along, but for now, Cooper seems to be the No. 4 WR for the Jets behind Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, and Isaiah Williams.
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It's a little bit concerning he's not cemented his WR3 status, considering the first-round pick the Jets spent on him this offseason.
But it's the first preseason game of Cooper's rookie season. There is plenty of time for Cooper to figure things out and turn into the WR the Jets believed they were getting when they drafted him in Round 1.
This isn't an actual problem for the Jets, though Fantasy Football managers might be disappointed. Having Williams break out as a legit WR3 is great for the Jets, as they now have a strong WR depth chart if Cooper is their fourth WR this upcoming season.
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