The Broncos, thus far, have stood pat at receiver in free agency. But they’re doing plenty of homework on potential draft targets at the position.
On Friday, Denver is set to host Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. on a top-30 visit, sources with knowledge of the trip told The Denver Post. The visit signals the Broncos’ interest in potentially swinging on a first-round weapon for Bo Nix, as they’ve focused primarily on development of their young receivers and retention in their tight-end room through the early period of 2026 free agency.
Cooper blossomed as a star from the slot in 2026 for the national-champion Hoosiers, racking up 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns while catching passes from likely No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. He’s produced in various roles, too, with 594 yards and seven touchdowns while playing primarily at outside receiver in 2024.
The receiving profile here is both conducive to a Sean Payton offense and substantially different from what Denver already has in the room, as Cooper is a serious yards-after-catch threat who also thrives in the middle of the field. He tested in the middle of the pack in 40-yard-dash time (4.42 seconds) and the 10-yard-split (1.55 seconds) at February’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis, and most NFL draft evaluators have Cooper ranked as either the third or fourth-best receiver in this class.
Head coach Payton and general manager George Paton have both repeatedly emphasized the Broncos’ draft investment when discussing their current crop of receivers, with Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant all serving as key picks in the last three offseason cycles. Still, Denver may look to the WR room in April, as January’s AFC Championship loss to the Patriots — with Franklin and Bryant injured — emphasized a glaring need for more depth at receiver. This is a dynamic draft to pick up a difference-making pass-catcher: Pro Football Focus’s big board, for example, has 15 receivers currently ranked inside its top 100 prospects.
The Cooper visit is the second known Broncos top-30 visit of this cycle, after Mizzou defensive lineman Chris McClellan visited Denver last week.
