Wide Receiver Charlie Becker Flows to the Ball

I didn’t get a chance to see much of Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker playing on offense for the first seven games of the 2025 season.

Why’s that?

Per Pro Football Focus (PFF)⎯

Becker only had five targets and four receptions during that time period. He got a few more reps here and there on offense as a blocker. Most of the action he saw was on special teams.

But that started slowly changing in the eighth game against UCLA, and Becker became more and more involved in the Hoosiers’ offense.

He came up the old-fashioned way. He earned his playing time.

“I like how he moves.”

Those were some of the first words I jotted down in my notes about Becker.

Ball Magnet

It was obvious he was catching almost everything that was thrown in his direction.

He was making the most out of every opportunity.

Per PFF⎯

Becker had 34 catches on 45 targets in 2025 (75.6% catch rate).

A couple more things stood out on his film⎯

He was inconsistent at creating separation from cornerbacks, and he showed an average ability to change direction. The separation thing isn’t that big of a deal, because Becker had exceptional focus and concentration, and he made catches in the tightest of coverage. He also looked like an outstanding route runner. I mean outstanding. That helped offset his average ability to change direction at route breakpoints. Additionally, he did a nice job bending route stems (meaning he could sell misdirection to the cornerback before declaring the direction he was really going, so he could gain route leverage).

Time after time⎯

Becker came up with the catch.

He was one with the ball.

He just flowed to the catch point with pinpoint precision.

Becker came up with some big-time catches in big moments as the season progressed, including a gotta-have-it grab on 4th down and 5 in the National Championship Game against Miami.

Excellent blocker

I touched on his blocking earlier, but I want to circle back and really highlight it.

Becker was passionate about pass and run blocking.

Having a receiver like this is a premium in the NFL.

Selflessness

What sold me on Becker was seeing him run down the field as a gunner on the punt team against Oregon in the College Football Playoffs. Despite his increased role on offense, he was the first man down, and he downed the ball when Indiana was ahead 42-15 with 4:19 to go in the third quarter.

That spoke to me.

Being a team player is a desirable trait.

Who did Becker remind me of on his 2025 game film?

A bigger version of Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent (5-foot-11, 187 pounds), who played for the Seahawks from 1976 to 1989.

Wowzer.

Yeah.

#80 Charlie Becker 6-foot-4, 208 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Fall Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of October 8, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, Michigan State, UCLA, Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, and Miami (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Natural receiver who has a knack for making himself open. Athletic. Flexible frame. Smooth-looking. Competitive. Tough. Scrappy. Lines up inside or outside. Long-strider. Good initial get-up and go. Decent long-range speed. Can slip behind a defense. Excellent instincts. Good ball tracking. Exceptional at high-pointing the ball. Above-average catch radius. Confident and soft hands. Works back to the quarterback when he’s in trouble. In concert with the quarterback. Legit YAC. Biggest negative is that he doesn’t attack the ball at the catch point, which can allow cornerbacks to make a play on the ball in front of him.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season?

1. Attacking the catch point?

2. Consistent at creating separation from cornerbacks?

3. How does he look settling into a bigger role?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.