Charlie Becker could help improve an injury-riddled receiver group.
The college football season is right around the corner, which makes it a perfect time to learn about some of the top prospects in the nation. One player San Francisco 49ers fans should familiarize themselves with is Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker. His dominance in contested catches, vertical speed, and promising route running make him an intriguing target who could be the 49ers’ future star receiver.
Before we begin, it’s important to note the goal of summer scouting. This article isn’t a finalized report on Becker stating that the 49ers must draft him. Instead, it’s identifying him as a talented player who could be an option next April. Plenty will change throughout the season; keep that in mind during this article.
That said, Becker is among the top receivers in the nation. The six-foot-four, 209-pound true junior leapt onto the collegiate landscape with 34 receptions, 679 yards, and four touchdowns last year. Even more impressively, a vast majority of this production came after week eight. This is largely due to him being stuck behind first-round pick Omar Cooper Jr. and fourth-round selection Elijah Sarratt. Now, he’s atop the depth chart and is poised for a huge season.
Becker’s prowess in contested catch situations makes him a matchup nightmare. He combines blazing vertical speed, stemming from his track and field career in high school, with staggering power and reliable hands to dominate these situations. As a result, he won 77% of these attempts according to PFF.
In addition, Becker is a surprisingly great route runner for his size. His rapid acceleration and swift footwork help him create instant separation during the break of his routes. Beyond this, he understands how to stem defenders and attack their leverage. This ability makes him a constant option for the quarterback.
Becker’s biggest task in 2026 will be proving last year wasn’t a fluke. He didn’t play in 2024 and only consistently saw the field after week eight last season. Because of this, he had a relatively small sample size and must produce on a bigger workload. If he can, don’t be surprised to see him vault into first-round conversations.
These aforementioned qualities should intrigue the 49ers, especially with their need at receiver. They’ve already been decimated by injuries in training camp, with De’Zhaun Stribling, Mike Evans, and Ricky Pearsall all missing time, with the latter being out for the year. So, the unit will undoubtedly be a priority next offseason. If they address it during the draft, don’t be shocked to hear Charlie Becker’s name in the mix.
