Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall drafted in first round by 49ers

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•04/25/24•

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators receiver Ricky Pearsall was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers 31st overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Pearsall was the first Florida Gator selected and the sixth receiver taken on Thursday night. It was the fifth straight year Florida has had a player selected in the first round.

According to Spotrac, Pearsall will sign a four-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $12.5 million. He will receive a $5.9 million signing bonus and will have a fifth-year contract option in 2028.

Pearsall arrived at Florida in the spring of 2023 from Arizona State. He quickly earned a starting role and would have a productive two seasons with the Gators. Pearsall caught 98 passes for 1,626 yards and nine touchdowns in his two seasons with the Gators.

During the 2023 season, Pearsall reeled in 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers in the catches and yards column marked career highs. He also averaged 20.7 yards on three rushing attempts, while scoring on two of his three carries.

In five college seasons, Pearsall totaled 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also showed some ability running out of the backfield, scoring five rushing touchdowns.

Ricky Pearsall draft file

Overview

Pearsall proved to be a dependable slot target with good size and soft hands who will need to prove that he has the ability to free himself against NFL man coverage. Pearsall might get the stereotypical “crafty route runner” label, but it suits him. He appears to play with an idea of how to manipulate certain coverage looks and leverages. He also plays with attention to detail and a consistent route tempo to create windows, but lacks ideal foot quickness to beat press and maintain separation. While the hands are reliable, he’s not physical enough to tilt contested catches in his favor and might have a ceiling of quality backup with punt-return value.

Strengths

  • Sinks hips low to snap off drive routes suddenly.
  • Keeps route tempo primed through his turns.
  • Throws subtle jab steps to leverage corners off the break point.
  • Catches with quiet, soft hands to stab drive throws.
  • Adjusts his track and lays out to make the catch.
  • Displayed ability to throw on gadget plays while at Arizona State.

Weaknesses

  • Doesn’t have the suddenness to slip past committed press looks.
  • High number of catches came running uncovered against zone.
  • Modest catch radius to save off-frame throws.
  • Overtaken by aggressive cornerbacks on contested-catch tries.

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