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Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers, Round 1, Pick 31
Ricky Persall was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the 31st pick of Round 1, according to Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Football Impact for Ricky Pearsall San Francisco 49ers
Although already flush with offensive playmakers, the San Francisco 49ers opted to use their first-round pick on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall out of Florida. Pearsall was a fan favorite last year, making eye-popping catches and displaying top-notch athleticism. He became a more well-known name after a solid outing at the 2024 Senior Bowl. He followed up his impressive weekend in Mobile with a fantastic showing at the Combine in Indianapolis. His testing was elite across the board, and his 9.91 Relative Athletic Score ranked 31st out of 3,402 wide receivers dating back to 1987. Aside from inconsistent production in college, his small stature is the only other red flag on his profile. He measured in a hair over six feet tall and just 189 pounds.
Pearsall played primarily out of the slot in college but is a bit more well-rounded than you might expect. His game-breaking speed suggests that he should be able to line up out wide in the NFL and win deep. He's a sure-handed receiver who can make big plays after the catch as well. And like most 49ers' receivers, he's a strong and willing blocker who can impact the run game and allow teammates to rack up yards after the catch. Splitting touches with Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle will make production tough to come by, but he's got the athleticism to develop into a primary weapon down the road.
The Fantasy Football Fallout
Prior to Round 1 of the NFL Draft, trade rumors swirled around Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Now that the 49ers landed Pearsall, the chances we see one of their veterans on the move is much higher. Willingness to negotiate should rise and asking price should drop. As it stands now, Pearsall may struggle to find meaningful snaps, let alone consistent production. But in the event of a trade involving Aiyuk or Samuel, Pearsall's stock would shoot up dramatically.
Assuming Samuel is traded, not much changes for Brock Purdy. Samuel, when healthy, is undeniably great. But injuries have kept him from recapturing the magic we saw in 2021. A trade involving Aiyuk would impact Purdy much more. The 26-year-old receiver has improved every year in the league and is showing no signs of slowing down. Whether Purdy enters the 2024 season with a duo involving one of the veterans and Pearsall or a full trio, he should be fine. In addition to the receivers, it's important to remember the impacts Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle have in the passing game. The only situation that would negative affect Purdy would be one that involves an Aiyuk departure.
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Overview
Ricky Pearsall is tailor-made for the San Francisco 49ers' offense. His athleticism and willingness to block fits with a scheme predicated around getting receivers in space to make plays with the ball in their hands. While his spot in the pecking order is hard to predict at the moment, a trade could quickly pave his path to relevancy.
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For more information on the 2024 NFL Draft, check out the Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide, where you can read about Ricky Pearsall San Francisco 49ers and other rookie team fits.
