Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall found himself at the center of a bold move by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2024 NFL draft after being selected as the 31st pick on Thursday.
As Pearsall’s name echoed through the draft, his teammate and Gators quarterback Graham Mertz took to Instagram to show his support, posting a story featuring Pearsall dancing.
“Rick Day!” Mertz wrote in the caption.
Not to be outdone, Mertz’s girlfriend, Alexis Loomans, also joined in, posting her own story in support of Pearsall with the caption:
“THE PICK IS IN!!!”
— celeb worshiper (@CFBismyworld) April 26, 2024
Pearsall brings an impressive collegiate resume to the NFL, proving his talent during stints with the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Florida Gators. With a total of 159 receptions for 2,420 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns from 2019-2022, the 23-year-old has proven himself as a versatile playmaker on the field.
In 2023, Pearsall had a standout season for the Gators, leading the team in receptions (65), receiving yards (965) and receiving yards per game (80.4). His ability to consistently move the chains, with over 63% of his catches resulting in first downs, highlights his reliability in critical situations.
49ers face draft conundrum after signing Ricky Pearsall
The San Francisco 49ers are facing a tough decision after adding Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall to their roster. General manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan are happy to maintain a strong receiving corps considering the addition of Pearsall.
With his versatility to play various roles on the field, the former Gators WR brings a valuable skill set that complements the existing lineup of Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. However, the 49ers are reportedly also weighing the option of trading Samuel or Aiyuk to acquire additional draft picks.
Despite their offensive powers, both Samuel and Aiyuk have faced injury concerns in the past, raising questions about their long-term availability. Trading one of them could provide the 49ers with the opportunity to bolster their offensive line or address other defensive needs.
The importance of protecting quarterback Brock Purdy cannot be understated, especially considering the physical style of play exhibited by Samuel. Investing in offensive weapons like Ricky Pearsall is crucial, but ensuring Purdy’s safety is paramount to the team’s success.
A strategic trade involving Samuel or Aiyuk could help fortify the offensive line and provide Purdy with better protection in the pocket.
