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While Ricky Pearsall might not have been available by the time the San Francisco 49ers' second-round pick rolled around, initially at No. 63 overall, questions linger about whether he warranted the No. 31 overall pick and if the team overlooked other pressing needs. Was he truly deserving of being the sixth wide receiver drafted? Only time will provide the answers.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently singled out Pearsall's selection as the biggest head-scratcher of the 2024 NFL Draft, stating, "Most teams I spoke to pegged him as a Day 2 pick. Considering the 49ers still have Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the roster, bolstering the offensive or defensive line seemed like a sensible play."
"He can be a nice No. 2 or No. 3 receiver, a good player, but that was a bit of a reach, in my opinion," remarked an NFC personnel evaluator to Fowler.
However, an AFC executive acknowledged the appeal of Pearsall, stating, "They wanted a route runner like the Rams have in Puka [Nacua]. Probably see him in that same role."
Nacua amassed an impressive 1,486 receiving yards in his rookie 2023 campaign, earning him a Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors.
An opposing college defensive coordinator didn't perceive Pearsall as the same caliber of threat, revealing to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, "We didn't have to game-plan for him. His routes at times were just OK. He would do a lot of dancing and get off target. Some of the throws that [Florida QB Graham] Mertz missed ... were on lack of route detail by Pearsall."
Fowler also noted that scouts across the NFL felt the selection of cornerback Renardo Green in the second round was "a bit of a reach" but conceded that the 49ers have a track record of maximizing talent, which is difficult to dispute.
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More San Francisco 49ers News
NFLPA Rookie Premiere showcases Ricky Pearsall in full 49ers uniform
By David Bonilla
May 18
The San Francisco 49ers first-round draft pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, is in Los Angeles this weekend for the NFLPA's annual Rookie Premiere. This event provides invitees from the NFL's incoming rookie class an opportunity to network and engage with NFL partners for potential marketing deals.
The NFL and NFLPA shared videos of the rookies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as they take the field in their full team uniforms for photo opportunities. Pearsall can be seen in these videos.
Group 2️⃣ is fitted.
Bucky Brooks explains why 49ers drafting Ricky Pearsall was a reaction to Super Bowl loss
By David Bonilla
May 11
NFL Network's Bucky Brooks believes Ricky Pearsall will open up opportunities for head coach Kyle Shanahan. He suggests that drafting the rookie was a response to the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl 58 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. During the "NFL Fantasy Football Show," Brooks stated that the rookie wide receiver will address some issues the 49ers offense faced against man coverage.
"I think it's a direct reaction to the Super Bowl," Brooks declared.
Confidently entering the game, the 49ers believed they had a solid game plan for the Chiefs, who had previously defeated them in the Super Bowl only four years
Is this the best wide receiver group Kyle Shanahan has had with the 49ers?
By Marc Adams
May 11
If you want wide receivers, the San Francisco 49ers have you covered. In addition to bringing back their top three receivers from 2023, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings, the 49ers are also bringing back Chris Conley, Danny Gray, Ronnie Bell, Trent Taylor, and others. And if that wasn't enough, they drafted Ricky Pearsall (Florida) and Jacob Cowing (Arizona) and signed undrafted rookie free agent, Terique Owens (Missouri State).
That's a solid receiving corp, led by two Pro Bowlers and a guy with a knack for picking up first downs. But where does this group rank among those Kyle Shanahan has had in San Francisco?
We can't compare this group to those from the 1980s and 1990s. That would be unfair. Any wide receiver group with Jerry Rice, the greatest
49ers reportedly signing DL Shakel Brown after tryout
By David Bonilla
May 13
Shakel Brown was among several players who participated in a tryout in front of coaches during the San Francisco 49ers' rookie minicamp last week. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports that the team was impressed enough with the defensive lineman to sign him.
Defensive lineman Shakel Brown @TROYUnews signed with #49ers after rookie minicamp tryout per a league source
