The 49ers entered the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft with a few notable needs, even after coming within a defensive stop of a championship in February.
With Brandon Aiyuk in need of a new contract and Brock Purdy's own contract situation set to take center-stage as early as next offseason, San Francisco faced pressure to add young, cheap talent that can contribute to a Super Bowl window. That's why their first-round pick came as a bit of a surprise.
The 49ers selected Florida WR Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick, adding a pass-catcher many expected to be a second-round pick while passing on talented defenders in Cooper DeJean and Jer'Zhan Newton despite some needs after releasing Arik Armstead and battling issues with their passing defense late in 2023.
Here's what you need to know about why the 49ers selected Pearsall and where he fits on their depth chart.
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Why did the 49ers draft Ricky Pearsall?
Drafting a wide receiver might not help the 49ers in 2024 as much as another position might, but it makes sense that San Francisco prioritized a pass-catcher when looking at their salary cap situation.
Already strapped with a few huge contracts, the 49ers still haven't been able to work out a new deal for WR Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were reported Thursday to be potential trade candidates, though no deal was struck. WR Jauan Jennings, a key contributor for the 49ers in Super Bowl 58, is also set to be a free agent after 2024.
It's looking less and less like San Francisco will be able to keep both Aiyuk and Samuel. The question now is whether one will be traded for a 2025 draft pick (or a deal involving a high Day 2 pick on Friday), or whether the 49ers plan to go full-throttle in 2024 with Pearsall part of a loaded group of weapons.
If the plan is to make one more run with both Aiyuk and Samuel, Pearsall might be a sensible choice over wideouts who were expected to be drafted before him.
Pearsall turns 24 in September and has a relatively high floor. His ceiling isn't as high as other receivers in late first-round consideration, but his age and skill set should allow him to contribute right away as a slot receiver. Pearsall is a strong route-runner, and he flashed excellent hands on more than a few occasions in 2023 with acrobatic catches.
If Pearsall is expected to outright replace Aiyuk or Samuel, the pick doesn't make quite as much sense knowing higher-ceiling receivers such as Adonai Mitchell, Troy Franklin, and even the riskier Keon Coleman were still on the board.
Passing on DeJean and Newton could be something the 49ers wind up regretting, but their championship window is open right now. Pearsall could be a player who steps in and makes an immediate impact.
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49ers WR depth chart
1. Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk is coming off a career year, but uncertainty surrounding his contract has been a storyline throughout the offseason. With reports on Thursday that a trade was on the table, Aiyuk's future in San Francisco is decidedly murky until progress is made on a potential extension.
2. Deebo Samuel
Samuel hasn't been able to recapture the success he enjoyed in 2021, partly due to nagging injuries, but he's a weapon unlike any other in the 49ers' offense when on the field. A gadget-like player who can come out of the backfield, Samuel might be year-to-year with 49ers due to their salary cap situation and hefty contract. For now, though, he's a critical piece of the offense.
3. Jauan Jennings
Jennings actually saw his role decrease in his third NFL season, but you wouldn't know it by the way he performed in Super Bowl 58. While the 49ers came up just short, that performance is an indication Purdy trusts Jennings and should keep him involved in the offense before the Tennessee product hits free agency in 2025.
4. Ricky Pearsall
Pearsall has 965 yards and four touchdowns in his senior season at Florida, making a handful of highlight-reel catches along the way. He profiles as more of a slot receiver in the NFL, and Purdy could look his way often in 2024 depending on what the depth chart looks like in September.
5. Ronnie Bell
The 49ers didn't use many wide receivers beyond their core three in 2023, but Bell was an occasional exception with three touchdowns on only 69 yards. The Michigan product still has work to do to make a consistent impact.
