Niners Nation
With injuries and potential uncertainty at wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall is poised for a big sophomore season in the NFL
When the 49ers held the 31st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, San Francisco had several options to load their roster following their Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Would the 49ers select an offensive lineman? Defensive tackles Braden Fiske and Johnny Newton were on the board. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Cooper DeJean were available to bolster the 49ers secondary. Funny enough, before the 49ers selected at 31, there was a leak on Twitter revealing the pick as DeJean. Once the draft card was turned in, Roger Goodell announced the 49ers selection. Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall would don the red and gold.
The pick was met with a lukewarm reception, especially considering Cooper DeJean was the leaked pick. However, once fans did their research, the pick was received better, given the turmoil with Brandon Aiyuk’s contract negotiation and the possibility of a divorce between the 49ers and Deebo Samuel.
The selection of Pearsall signaled that the 49ers were investing in weapons for Brock Purdy and turning the tide towards a more pass-heavy attack, with Purdy gaining more responsibility. Pearsall’s addition addressed the main issue with 49ers receivers outside of Aiyuk. The team needed to add separators at the position.
Expectations were high for Pearsall heading into training camp. However, two different injuries sidelined the rookie in rookie minicamp and OTAs before the unfortunate situation, which resulted in Pearsall suffering a gunshot wound to the chest.
The rookie’s NFL debut was pushed to Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, where Pearsall would total three catches for 21 yards on five targets. Pearsall would add four more catches in an expanded role following Aiyuk’s season-ending injury against Kansas City on Sunday Night Football against Dallas.
Following the 49ers bye week, Pearsall found the end zone for the first time in his NFL career against Tampa Bay on a 46-yard touchdown grab from Purdy. The arrow was pointing up for the rookie, but Pearsall wouldn’t register another catch until Week 14 against Chicago. The rookie process continued and included several mistakes in Miami, which resulted in penalties for lining up incorrectly.
Weeks 17 and 18 offered a glimpse into Pearsall’s potential and development as the rookie registered 14 receptions, 210 yards, and two touchdowns against Detroit and Arizona. The 49ers were officially eliminated before their matchup in Miami, and Pearsall’s development was in full swing with three games of live reps.
Heading into his second season in the NFL, Pearsall is primed to breakout. Pro Football Focus released an article predicting early breakout candidates in 2025. Pearsall was their selection for the 49ers.
Bradley Locker of PFF detailed his selection: “Pearsall endured about as arduous of a first season as possible but still offered solid results, turning in a 64.1 PFF receiving grade with only a 3.1% drop rate. The former Florida product was even stronger during his final two...
