When the San Francisco 49ers chose receiver Ricky Pearsall with the 31st pick in April, it seemed like a nice extra addition rather than something they urgently needed.
However, with Brandon Aiyuk’s ongoing contract situation, Pearsall might become more important as a rookie for a team expected to have one of the most effective offenses in the NFL.
Pearsall has started to impress early in training camp, receiving praise from veterans who usually keep their compliments reserved for new players.
“I don’t like to compliment rookies too much, but I like his game,” cornerback Isaac Yiadom said. “I think he got some confidence, too. He got some dog in him, so he knows it. He knows he’s pretty good. I just hope that he continues to work. That’s the thing I like about him. He just goes to work. He just shuts up and he just goes to work.”
The 49ers could have addressed more immediate needs in the draft, such as improving their offensive line or defense, but they chose to add another playmaker to their already strong offense.
Joining coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense is challenging for any rookie, especially for receivers who must master complex routes and blocking assignments.
“I think I’ve took big strides since I’ve got here,” Pearsall said. “In the beginning, yes it was a little difficult. Coming into an offense like this, that’s very complex, there’s a lot to it.
Trying to learn it all in one day is impossible. So I just kind of told myself that over and over again and just each day how I can get better and improve and knowing the playbook.”
After missing the first part of practice due to a hamstring injury, Pearsall has been increasing his workload this week.
He has shown he can get open against various defenses and made an impressive juggling catch on a sideline throw earlier this week.
Pearsall is one of the receivers making the most of Aiyuk’s extended absence and has impressed his coaches with his route running and his readiness to block during runs. “We’re really happy with his progress so far,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan didn’t provide an update on the contract negotiations with Aiyuk or the holdout of left tackle Trent Williams. He also played down the handshake he had with Aiyuk at practice on Wednesday, which had received a lot of attention on social media.
“We walked by each other and that’s how we greet each other. A bro hug,” Shanahan said. “Nothing more.”
Aiyuk hasn’t practiced at all during camp because he’s seeking a new contract. However, he is attending meetings and has been helping Pearsall, who was his teammate for one season at Arizona State in 2019.
Pearsall said Aiyuk has been giving him advice in the film room and on how to adjust to professional play.
“I definitely ask him questions. He’s one of the best receivers in the league,” Pearsall said. “Any kind of information I can get from him, it’s going to only benefit my game. He was a guy that I got to look up to as a freshman coming in. … Now it kind of just wrapped back around and we’re here together.”
Pearsall became a productive receiver in college after Aiyuk went pro, spending his last two seasons at Florida. He had 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns last season and ended his career with 159 catches for 2,420 yards and 14 touchdowns.
In addition to Aiyuk, Pearsall is also seeking advice from quarterback Brock Purdy. His locker is next to Purdy’s, and he frequently asks about ways to improve and details of the playbook.
“Once you start seeing it through a quarterback’s lens and it just becomes that much easier for a receiver,” he said.
