The San Francisco 49ers made Charlie Woerner a sixth-round draft pick out of Georgia last year. He appeared in 14 games as a rookie but was targeted just four times, hauling in three passes for 36 yards. Woerner aims to make a bigger impact in 2021 and did not waste the opportunity to improve this offseason.
"I've matured a little bit more. My body's grown," Woerner told reporters after today's practice. "I think the big thing for me is eating a lot better. I'd definitely say my body's changed since college. ... I lost weight. I probably leaned down a little bit, lost a couple percent body fat."
Woerner is obviously proud of his efforts. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end was shirtless at the podium while speaking with reporters inside the media tent. That doesn't happen too often outside of the locker room.
TE Charlie Woerner would give the shirt off his back to be a major contributor for the #49ers this season. pic.twitter.com/dEk7QuFuIC
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 2, 2021
The tight end didn't just work to improve his appearance, though.
"I would say I worked in the offseason a lot on my pass game, route-running game," Woerner shared. "I spent the whole offseason in Nashville with George [Kittle], so yeah, I think I improved there. I tried to improve my speed. It's been fun progressing from rookie year until now."
Coming into the NFL, Woerner was seen as a blocking tight end. He had just 34 total receptions for 376 yards and a touchdown in his four years with the Bulldogs, so he wasn't lighting things up in the passing game there.
Woerner feels he has picked up a few things from his teammates during his short time in the NFL and hopes it's enough to make him a better overall player.
"Mainly, what I did at the University of George was block but coming into the NFL, watching one of the best route-runners in the game, day in and day out, in George, I'm trying to pick up little pieces from him, and watching other receivers, watching what they do," Woerner said. "It's just being a pro. In every period and practice, it's just working on the small little details on the routes. From last season to OTAs until full training camp this year, I'd like to say I've gotten better in my routes."