Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Friday, April 26th, 2024
Draft grade after 49ers select stud Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with 31st overall pic
“Pearsall will likely be a rotational player in his first year, but he is already a more polished pure receiver than Samuel is, and has exponentially more athleticism and versatility than Jauan Jennings. He also returned 11 punts for 126 yards last year, and that’s a position where Trent Taylor is the team’s de facto punt returner.
Simply put, Pearsall is a very talent receiver who will be able to contribute from the get-go. It’s fair to have concerns about value, but there was a clear drop-off in receivers coming, as evidenced by Xavier Legette’s selection immediately after. The other receivers in that second tier, Adonai Mitchell and Keon Coleman, had far more concerns, as did Ladd McConkey, who showed a serious lack of size and athleticism.”
Silver: 49ers choose drama in NFL draft by picking Pearsall, dangling Samuel and Aiyuk (paywall)
“His rollicking runs through opposing secondaries have consistently infused the 49ers’ sideline with energy, and his nastiness and penchant for initiating collisions also carry an intangible value that isn’t easily replaced.
Samuel’s multi-positional value — unlocked midway through the 2021 season, when Shanahan began deploying him at running back in a successful effort to provoke a swift and stunning turnaround — provides added juice to Shanahan’s intricate offense.
Last season, when Samuel went out with a fractured shoulder early in a mid-October game against the Browns, the 49ers’ offense lost its spunk, and the team muddled through a three-game losing streak. When he returned following the team’s bye week, things immediately got better.”
Why Ricky Pearsall? 49ers describe him like they did Brandon Aiyuk in 2020 (paywall)
““I’ll be the first to admit it,” Persall said. “We played each other. I think he put 70 on my team. I remember him because he was in the end zone a lot.”
Pearsall was good that day. He had eight catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Purdy, however, had four passing touchdowns in the 70-24 win.”
49ers draft Ricky Pearsall: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel (paywall)
“A two-year starter at Florida, Pearsall was schemed across the formation in head coach Billy Napier’s offense, doing most of his work (62 percent) from the slot. After three seasons at Arizona State, including time spent learning from Aiyuk in 2019, he moved on to Florida in 2022 and had a career season in ’23, leading the Gators in receiving. With his play speed and footwork, Pearsall earned the nickname “Slick Rick” because of the rhythmic movements he uses to shake free in his routes or make a defender miss in the quick game. Though he can be outmuscled at times versus press or at the top of routes, he has Velcro hands and never shies from attacking throws that lead him into impending contact. Overall, Pearsall wasn’t a home run hitter on tape, but he is a reliable receiving option with the route quickness and ball skills to quickly become a favorite target for an NFL quarterback. He has the skill set and toughness to work inside or outside and return punts at the next level.”
49ers pick Florida WR Pearsall No. 31 overall, bolster offense
“Regardless of what’s to come on that front, they needed better wide receiver depth.”
Ricky Pearsall Interview: How Senior Bowl Impacts His NFL Draft Stock
“JM: Speaking of routes, does Ricky Pearsall have a favorite route to run?
Ricky Pearsall: I get this question a lot. I really don’t. Every route helps set up another route. I feel like my route running improves throughout the course of a game. I love every route. I think they all set each other up. I just love running routes in general.”
Hutchinson: Lynch, Shanahan leave door open for Aiyuk, Samuel trades after drafting Ricky Pearsall
“That would be an awfully clever way to bait-and-switch themselves into a deal for the declining receiver who takes a physical beating every season, compared to the young, up-and-coming, All-Pro 26-year-old who is a pure receiver. In other words, look out for Samuel in trade talks tomorrow. The 49ers kept the door wide open.
Could a team like the Buffalo Bills, who have a glaring need at receiver, and the first pick in round two, make a move for Samuel? Perhaps. Stay tuned.”
The pick: WR Ricky Pearsall (No. 31)
This one makes you wonder what’s going on with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, right? Could the 49ers have more moves coming? In the end, though, I had Pearsall ranked below both Xavier Legette, Keon Coleman and Adonai Mitchell, all of whom were still available at the end of Round 1. Pearsall lit up the combine with his testing numbers, and he could be a better pro than college player. He’s my No. 10 wideout.
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