Ricky Pearsall

Pearsall experienced a rather exaggerated version of the usual up-and-downs of an NFL rookie season. One of the older players in his draft class and mostly projected as a Day 2 pick, he instead went 31st overall to the 49ers last spring, buoyed by a fantastic showing at the 2024 Combine, where he ran a 4.41 40 and placed top three among WRs in the vertical jump and cone drill. The thinking was that Pearsall would push Jauan Jennings for the No. 3 job in 2024 before replacing Samuel in 2025. Instead, Pearsall got shot in the chest shortly before Week 1 and missed the first six games, while Jennings enjoyed a breakout season and Samuel simply failed to meet his usual standard. Once Pearsall made his NFL debut Week 7, the 49ers immediately lost Brandon Aiyuk to an ACL tear, paving the way for the rookie to put up 132 receiving yards and 39 rushing yards over his first three games (aided by Jennings missing a couple weeks). Pearsall caught just two passes over the next five games despite getting regular snaps as the No. 3 receiver, before coming on strong Weeks 16-18 with receiving lines of 4-37-0, 8-141-1 and 6-69-1. The strong finish coupled with a thin receiver room have Pearsall shaping up to be a Week 1 starter with plenty of fantasy upside in 2025.