Will the New York Giants need a wide receiver in 2026?
It’s impossible to say at this stage, but it’s certainly possible that they will. Even if Malik Nabers makes a full recovery and Malachi Fields impresses as a rookie, most of the Giants’ receiving corps is on a one-year contract. And if quarterback Jaxson Dart takes the next step in his development, the Giants will need to prioritize giving him weapons with which to attack defenses.
That said, if Dart does take the next step in his development, the Giants likely won’t be in a position to draft at the top of the wide receiver depth chart.
However, the 2027 NFL Draft promises to be a deep and talented one at the receiver position, and Indiana’s Charlie Becker could be primed for a breakout year.
Becker came on at the end of 2025 and led the Big 10 with 20 yards per catch. He’s poised to compete for Indiana’s No.1 receiver job after their top two wideouts left for the NFL, so the opportunity will be there to turn himself into a first-round pick.
What he does well
Becker’s size immediately stands out on tape. He’s listed at 6-foot-4, and 205 to 210 pounds, and looks every bit that size — if not larger. Becker also has impressive athleticism for his size, with impressive quickness and a reported 22.5 MPH top speed. For reference, that top speed is higher than Omar Cooper, who turned a 4.42-second 40-yard dash. We don’t know exactly how fast Becker is, but a 40 time somewhere in the 4.4’s is believable for him based on his vertical routes.
In addition to size, strength, and linear speed, Becker also has alignment versatility. He was a tertiary receiver in Indiana’s offense for much of the season and was used all over their offensive formation. He spent time as a true “X” receiver on the line of scrimmage, as a flanker, and as a power slot, and proved effective in each alignment.
Becker is at his best running down the field at this point in his development and made his biggest impact on fade, post, go, and deep crossing routes. Those made good use of his speed while not asking him to cut sharply. He has plenty of strength to run through jams in press coverage, as well as surprisingly subtle hand usage to keep defenders from disrupting his routes. He also shows solid awareness, locating and tracking the ball in the air, and working to get open on scramble drills.
He understands how to make full use of his impressive catch radius, routinely extending to pluck the ball out of the air. Becker also shows solid body control and very strong hands to own the catch point. He was charted with 13 receptions on 17 “50/50” balls, or a 76% catch rate on contested catches.
Becker is a tough receiver. He’s willing to fight through early jams, play through contact at the catch point, and extend for the catch over the middle. There were instances on tape of him taking thunderous shots from defenders, but still extending and securing the ball.
Finally, Becker flashes the ability to be an effective blocker.
What he needs to improve
There are two main concerns in Becker’s game heading into 2026.
The first is that he’s a relatively linear athlete who visibly needs to gear down and gather himself before changing direction. He’s a good athlete in a straight line, but doesn’t appear to be one of those rare big men who have truly fluid lower bodies and can cut on a dime. Becker rounds his routes sometimes when trying to carry speed.
That could limit how he’s used as Indiana’s prospective “No.1” receiver, as well as where he falls on the NFL’s various big boards.
The second is simply a need for greater overall refinement and consistency. Becker flashes the traits necessary to compete for a first-round selection, but there’s a definite “up and down” element to his game.
Becker is capable of running through a defense and generating separation with his athleticism, but he isn’t a natural separator when a defensive back can stay with him. Likewise, he can slow himself down by turning his head or extending his arms to make the catch too early, making it easier for defenders to stay with him or recover.
Becker still needs to improve his blocking technique.
(Becker is the Indiana receiver wearing number 80)
Final thoughts
Becker won’t be pushing Jeremiah Smith, and might not threaten to move Cam Coleman of Texas from the WR2 spot behind Smith. However, Becker might also be a close third on NFL big boards.
He finished the 2025 season strongly with three 100-yard games (including against Penn State and Ohio State) in his Indiana’s final seven games. He has all the traits to explode onto the scene if he can secure Indiana’s WR1 position this year.