Rookies, especially those at the skill positions, traditionally do not become a major factor on teams contending for a Super Bowl. On the surface, that would seem to be the case for San Francisco 49ers first-round pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
However, with injuries, trade demands, and “hold-ins” potentially impacting the 49ers’ offense, it’s difficult to rule anyone on the offensive side of the roster out of the equation when it comes to making a potential impact.
With that in mind, here is the fantasy outlook for Ricky Pearsall for the 2024 season.
Update: Ricky Pearsall was shot Saturday in the San Francisco area.
Ricky Pearsall’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
Pearsall was the 31st pick by the 49ers in last April’s NFL Draft, coming from a productive collegiate career at Arizona State and Florida. In his two seasons with the Gators (2022-23), Pearsall combined to record 98 receptions for 1,626 yards and nine touchdown catches. He also averaged nearly 17 yards a reception with Florida (16.6).
Over the course of five collegiate seasons — three at Arizona State, two at Florida — Pearsall accumulated 159 receptions for over 2,420 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns from scrimmage (14 receiving, 5 rushing).
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In all, Pearsall averaged almost 15 yards per touch from scrimmage (14.9) over his five-season career in college, including 16.5 yards per touch in his two seasons with the Gators.
And he displayed the ability to show up in big games. Last season, Pearsall caught seven passes for 103 yards against LSU and had six receptions for 99 yards against Georgia. And in 2022 vs. Florida State, Pearsall finished with five catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
Is Pearsall a Good Fantasy Pick?
Pearsall is the No. 72 wide receiver in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings. While that ranking appears very low on the surface, keep in mind that it is in line with other rookies, such as the New York Jets’ Malachi Corley (No. 70) and Carolina Panthers’ Xavier Legette (No. 71).
And Pearsall’s ranking is not that far behind a veteran like the Panthers’ Adam Thielen (No. 69), despite Thielen topping the century mark in receptions last season.
On paper, the 49ers appear loaded offensively. They have an elite quarterback (Brock Purdy), the league’s No. 1 running back (Christian McCaffrey), one of the NFL’s premier tight ends (George Kittle), and explosive wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
So, where will the opportunities come for Pearsall as a rookie backup, especially one that did not play in any preseason games due to a shoulder injury? While it’s difficult to expect many targets coming Pearsall’s way, it is also worth noting that the 49ers’ situation offensively is far from perfect.
McCaffrey has been dealing with a calf injury in training camp, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has demanded a trade from the 49ers while he has been “holding in” during camp, and their top offensive lineman, offensive tackle Trent Williams, has held out during camp.
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If the situation doesn’t improve for the 49ers in some areas, there could be an “all hands on deck” mode offensively, which would surely benefit Pearsall.
That said, it’s still a bit of a risk to draft Pearsall and hope the 49ers’ situation doesn’t clear itself up. These things are almost always done before the start of the season.
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