FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ricky Pearsall
Ricky Pearsall (WR – Florida)
6’3″ – 192 lbs.
Background:
Ricky Pearsall was a three-star recruit who originally attended Arizona State, where he played sparingly in his first two seasons. He then took over a starting job in 2021, posting 48-580-6 (12.1). Transferred to Florida after the season and caught 33-661-5 (20.0) in his first year with the team. Final season was his most productive: 65-963-4 (14.8).
Positives:
Three-year starter who made 2023 his best season yet. Has the size of a split end but he often lined up in the slot in school — 60% of his career snaps. Inside-outside versatility should help his stock. The team got creative with how he was deployed overall, often sending him in motion and even having him take some snaps out of the backfield. Overall flexibility and quickness look good for his size. Makes some good adjustments to off-target passes. Shows impressive body control and sideline awareness when operating near the boundary. His size makes him an interesting option on slot fades. Has a strong pair of hands (six drops against 160 career catches). Pretty competitive player after the catch and the team schemed him touches on screens. Has some elusiveness when he gets a crease. Gives good effort as a blocker. Has experience on special teams units and as a return specialist.
Negatives:
May need to continue adding functional strength, as he has a somewhat thin build. Not the fastest or most explosive mover; could struggle to run away from pro cornerbacks on man beaters. Doesn’t put too much window-dressing on the route stem; shows an adequate stutter step when running the slot fade from off-coverage but it’s probably a stretch to call him a technician at this point. Gets re-routed easily by physical corners, and could struggle to get off the line against physical receivers. Can be late to locate the football. Able to line up opponents in space when stalking but doesn’t have a lot of power, and balance issues can crop up; often gets the worst of it when trying to get physical.
Summary:
A tall, flexible receiver with better quickness than anticipated for his size and who provides a reliable pair of hands. At the same time, lacks ideal functional strength which can undermine the integrity of his routes and the effectiveness of his blocking. Isn’t one of the fastest or most explosive receivers in the class. Almost plays like a smaller receiver in a big body. With more consistent attention to detail as a route-runner he could develop into a pretty good player, but the second day might be a bit rich for now.
Projection: Round 4/Round 5
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @draftexaminer.
