2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ricky Pearsall

Background

Ricky Pearsall played high school ball at Corona del Sol in Tempe, Arizona. He broke out in his junior year with a 1,153-yard and 15-touchdown season, which resulted in a three-star recruit rating by most major outlets.

Pearsall decided to stay home by committing to Arizona State, but his college football career never quite took off the way he wanted in his home state. COVID-19 and coaching staff turnover at ASU made it difficult to grow.

Then, he decided to transfer across the country to Florida with new head coach, Billy Napier. Pearsall was a much better fit in Napier's vertical passing offense, and his production followed suit.

He left college football with a bang, recording 65 receptions, 965 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns. Pearsall entered the 2024 NFL Draft scene with little buzz, but that all changed after a stellar Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

Strengths

• Twitched up route runner in his movements
• Option route/slot nightmare 
• Bunnies, soars in the air when he high points the ball
• Elite ball skills, only six drops on 233 targets
• Vertical threat, especially from the slot
• 9.78 RAS Score

Weaknesses

• Struggles working through contact, too easily disrupted
• Only 15 forced missed tackles on 160 career catches, YAC isn't his game
• Too many steps and wasted movements in some of his routes 

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Ricky Pearsall

Pearsall projects best as a Z receiver who plays off the line of scrimmage and moves around the formation. He was the main motion man in Florida's offense, allowing him to attack defenders in space.

He'll likely be used similarly at the NFL level to maximize his shiftiness. Additionally, getting him in the slot and using that quickness on options routes will be ideal.

While Pearsall's ability to get vertical should allow him to play on the outside some, that's not where he's most effective. He'll ideally be given as much room to work with as possible so he doesn't have to deal with contact, and that's in the slot.

Pearsall will most likely end up as a solid WR2 but an even better WR3 who can fill a niche role in a receiving corps. If he can improve some of his technique as a route runner, his floor could be even higher.

The Chicago Bears don't have a true slot receiver, and Pearsall is one of the better options in the 2024 NFL Draft class. If he's available at pick No. 75, I'd strongly consider him.

NFL Comparison: Khalil Shakir