The wide receiver class in the 2024 NFL Draft is absolutely loaded. But in a loaded class, there are still gems around. One of those gems is Florida’s Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall put in really good work at the Senior Bowl and followed that up with a great showing at the combine. What does the draft profile look like for the former Gator? Let’s talk about it.
If you weren’t familiar with his game, take a peek at the tweet below.
This is the type of athlete you’re getting with Pearsall, but more on that shortly. Pearsall started his career at Arizona State, where he would have 61 catches for 794 yards and five touchdowns in three seasons. He would transfer to Florida and improve his play to the tune of 98 catches for 1,626 yards and nine touchdowns, most of all three categories coming in his final season in Gainesville.
The size is fine (6’1, 190 lbs), but it is pure speed that he has that catches your eye off the bat. But the more you watch, Ricky Pearsall is a refined route runner, always looking very smooth through his cuts. The hips flip open easily, head is always turned around on time. He played a ton in the slot, which could work to his advantage in the NFL with his route tree. Very reliable hands, as we saw in the catch of the year above. He excels at creating space at the top of routes as well.
I think the area that is going to give Pearsall trouble at the next level is going against more physical corners on a week-by-week basis. With his slight frame, he struggles at times to get off the line if he’s jammed. The circus stuff is great don’t get me wrong, but we have to dial it in a bit. If he goes out and tries to do this weekly, it’s going to throw off the timing of his QB. Some critique his play speed versus his timed speed, but I don’t really have an issue with it.
I am in on Ricky Pearsall. I think he has the toolset that should seamlessly translate to the NFL, and could be an impact player on an offense in year one. The only thing going against him is that this class is loaded with a capital L. With that being said, I give him a second-round grade, and someone I would be overjoyed with if I got him in the top-50. Don’t miss out.
