Cooper Barkate WR Miami |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #18 ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.50 seconds (51%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 23.9 DOB: 01/12/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #18 | |
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.50 seconds (51%*) | |
| Age: 23.9 DOB: 01/12/2003 | |
| Overall Rating: |
84.5 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 118.9 | |
| Hands: |
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71% |
| Short Receiving: |
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73% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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82% |
| Deep Threat: |
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81% |
| Blocking: |
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58% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#117
Position rank:
#16 (WR)
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| College Games: 46 College Snaps: 2277 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
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247 RATING: 88/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ja'Lynn Polk - Washington |
|
99% |
| Jalen McMillan - Washington |
|
94% |
| Jalen Tolbert - South Alabama |
|
93% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Cooper Barkate was born in Newport Beach, California, and played at St. Margaret's Episcopal and Mission Viejo before finishing at Mater Dei in Santa Ana as a senior, playing receiver and cornerback. He committed to Harvard.Barkate caught 10 passes in 2022 and 40 for 501 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 at Harvard, then broke out in 2024 with 63 catches for 1,084 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Ivy honors. He transferred to Duke for 2025 and started all 14 games, catching 72 passes for 1,093 yards and seven touchdowns and earning second-team All-ACC honors. He had 13 catches for 172 yards against Georgia Tech, six for 127 yards and a touchdown against Clemson and five for 91 yards in Duke's ACC Championship Game win over Virginia.
Barkate entered the portal again in January 2026 and committed to Miami, reuniting with his former Duke quarterback, Darian Mensah, and he said the Hurricanes made it a very easy transition. He caught five passes for 98 yards and a 66-yard touchdown on a tunnel screen on Miami's second play in the 41-13 win at Clemson, and he had four catches for 71 yards in the 38-35 win at North Carolina. He has 28 catches for 372 yards and four touchdowns for an 8-0 Miami team ranked No. 1.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Caught 72 passes for 1,093 yards at Duke in 2025
- Polished route runner who creates separation with footwork and timing
- Produced at three schools, from the Ivy League to the ACC
- Strong games against Clemson in both 2025 and 2026
- Has four touchdowns for an unbeaten Miami team this season
- Earned second-team All-ACC and first-team All-Ivy honors at two schools
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Average timed speed, so he does not threaten defenses vertically
- Dropped six passes in 2025 and seven in 2024
- Won only 10 of 24 contested targets in 2025
- Older prospect who will turn 24 before the draft
Scouting Report: Summary
Barkate is a polished, productive receiver who has produced at every level. He was a first-team All-Ivy pick at Harvard in 2024 with 1,084 yards and 11 touchdowns, then moved to Duke and caught 72 passes for 1,093 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, earning second-team All-ACC honors. He creates separation with footwork, tempo and timing rather than speed, and he has been a reliable target on intermediate routes.He has also been at his best in big games. He had 13 catches for 172 yards against Georgia Tech and six for 127 yards against Clemson in 2025, and five catches for 91 yards in Duke's ACC title game win. At Miami this season he has reunited with Darian Mensah, and his 66-yard touchdown on a tunnel screen at Clemson set the tone for a 41-13 win. He has 28 catches for 372 yards and four touchdowns for the No. 1 team in the country.
However, his physical traits limit his ceiling. His timed speed is average, so he does not threaten defenses vertically, and his production depends on precise route running. He dropped six passes in 2025 and seven in 2024, and he won only 10 of 24 contested targets at Duke. His role at Miami is smaller, with 34 targets in eight games, and he is an older prospect who will turn 24 before the draft. Teams will also want to see more yards after the catch from a player who wins mostly on timing.
Overall, Barkate is a smart, reliable route runner whose production at three schools gives him a clear path to an NFL role. He projects as a fourth-round receiver with the ceiling of a starting slot or possession receiver and the floor of a dependable depth target. His route running and big-game production should appeal to teams that value precision over speed.
How other scouting services rate Cooper Barkate (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
106.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
19.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.