Short answer: It's a competition, not a lock. Adonai Mitchell is expected to open the season in the starting lineup alongside Garrett Wilson, but rookie Omar Cooper Jr. (drafted 30th overall in 2026) is right on his heels for the WR2 role (from the Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. pages).
Here's the gist:
- Mitchell has the seniority. Head coach Aaron Glenn has publicly praised his athleticism, and he's listed as a starter entering camp.
- Cooper has the pedigree. He was a first-round pick, and the wiki notes that fantasy analysts favor Cooper's "more dynamic skill set and versatility" for 2026 value. His skillset has drawn Deebo Samuel comparisons — he can win deep or on gadget plays like jet sweeps.
- The QB situation helps nobody explode. Geno Smith posted pedestrian passing numbers in 2025 (3,025 yards, 19 TDs, 17 INTs) — the 40th-lowest yards per pass attempt among qualified QBs.
On Underdog Fantasy, Josh & Hayden noted that the Jets WR room is "a little bit dicey at the line with Adonai Mitchell" alongside Garrett Wilson, calling it an open question for the offense — .
Bottom line: Mitchell could be the WR2 on paper to start the year, but it's a true training camp battle with the first-round rookie. Neither should be drafted as anything more than a late-round flier in standard 12-team leagues.