The Falcons may be months away from their next draft decision, but one recent 2027 mock has Atlanta using its first-round pick on a wideout rather than a quarterback.
In Ryan Wilson’s latest CBS Sports projection, the Falcons go with Indiana receiver Charlie Becker at No. 12 overall, giving them a potential running mate for Drake London.
Wilson sees Atlanta as a roster with plenty to sort through. In his view, the defense has been hit by injuries to Jalon Walker and off-field issues involving James Pearce, while quarterback remains a major question.
He also noted that right tackle is still on the list of priorities. Still, Wilson wrote that Becker “feels like the safest bet here, especially with not much depth behind Drake London.”
There’s still an argument for quarterback in that spot, but the wide receiver need looks too obvious to ignore. The only real scenario that changes is if Jahan Dotson turns in a shockingly strong season and rookie Zachariah Branch delivers a promising first year.
Becker brings the kind of profile teams love on the outside. At 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds, he has the size to win against most NFL cornerbacks on the boundary, along with soft hands and crisp route-running.
His production has already started to match the tools. Becker broke out in 2025 with 34 catches for 679 yards and four touchdowns, and his 20 yards per reception led the Big Ten.
He’s picked up right where he left off in 2026, too. In Indiana’s dominant opener against North Texas, Becker posted 64 yards and two touchdowns. Right now, he’s viewed as a second-round talent, but another strong run could push him into much earlier draft territory.
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