2024 Rookie Profile: WR Ricky Pearsall (Fantasy Football)

With rookie fever sweeping across the fantasy football community, it’s time to evaluate the incoming rookie class. The analysis at the top of the class has been going on for months at this point, so by the time the NFL draft occurs not much will sway those rankings. That’s why I believe it’s advantageous to look further down the board to try and find a few second and third-round rookies to conduct deep dives on. With that said, let’s take a look at a wide receiver I like quite a bit: Ricky Pearsall.

Florida’s Ricky Pearsall possesses a blend of athleticism and natural ability which is evident in his highlight reel. Pearsall’s dynamic skills off the line, agility in shifting direction, and soft hands make for a difficult matchup for defenders. Yet, doubts arise when comparing his flashy plays to his actual stats. While his talent is obvious, his on-field impact doesn’t always translate into numbers. The question is, are these inconsistencies due to team strategy, quarterback performance, or deeper worries about his reliability throughout an entire game?

Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2024 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and the production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2024.

College Production Profile

*2019 and 2020 seasons omitted

Coming out of Corona Del Sol High School in Arizona, Ricky was a three-star prospect who had committed to Arizona State University. After producing a 28% dominator rating in 2021, Pearsall decided to take his talents to Gainesville where he proceeded to have a dominator rating of 25% over his next two seasons in the SEC.

Pearsall never got the opportunity to grow with a quarterback as he played with three different QBs in three years. Those QBs included Jayden Daniels, Anthony Richardson, and Graham Mertz. In his junior year with Jayden Daniels at Arizona State, he saw his breakout occur at 21 years old which is understandable for a three-star prospect, but concerning. He then transferred to Florida where he played with Anthony Richardson and Graham Mertz. He became much more of a focal point in the offense and posted his best year.

Ricky showed a propensity to play out wide as well as in the slot last year as he was much closer to a 50/50 split than the rest of his collegiate career.

As shown above, Ricky posted his best year through the air, and in the touchdown department this year. The 80.8 receiving yards per game mark was undoubtedly his best season performance, but in relation to the elite prospects it is not all that impressive of a mark. I for one believe that this was caused by inept scheming and quarterback play rather than Ricky’s skill or athleticism.

Measurables

Ricky came into the combine being a player that analysts said would open some eyes with his sneaky athleticism and did he ever.

Ricky came in 6’1″, which was bigger than I assumed he was while watching him play. He then followed that up with the third-best vertical and the best three-cone drill for wide receivers.

What’s on Tape

Games viewed: South Carolina (2023), Georgia (2023), LSU (2023), Utah (2023), Florida State (2022), South Carolina (2022)

1. Excellent Ability to Sink His Hips and Drive back to the Ball

Ricky Pearsall’s technique is exemplary, showcasing his talent for sinking and driving back to the ball. This skill was on display last season as he saw the majority of his targets in the 10 to 19-yard range. He was able to create separation from defenders and make precise turns to create yardage where there otherwise may not have been any available.

2. Finding Soft Spots in Zone Coverage

On film and looking at the stats, Ricky demonstrates a knack for finding soft spots in the zone. His football IQ and awareness enable him to exploit the defense, providing his quarterback with reliable targets and extending drives. This shows in his stats as well as he was targeted in zone coverage 62.1% of the time and bolstered a 2.54 YPRR against zone.

3. Hands for Days

When it comes to catching the football, Ricky Pearsall’s hands are exceptional. Whether it’s snatching balls out of the air or securing difficult catches in traffic, his consistent hands instill confidence in his quarterbacks and make him a reliable option in crucial situations. Ricky had a drop rate of 3% in 2023 and it is no surprise when you watch his film as he catches almost everything thrown his way. He had multiple drive-extending catches as well as highlight reel grabs, one of which may have been the best catch I have ever seen personally.

OH MY!!!! WHAT A CATCH @S1ickSzn

ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/4zzupSxOfJ

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) September 23, 2023

What’s Not on Tape

1. Underneath Routes

Ricky Pearsall saw only 19.5% of his targets come from the zero to nine-yard area of the field. Of those 17 targets, 13 were over the middle. That was a trend for Ricky as he showed an ability to work the middle of the field well. That should translate nicely to the NFL game, but what worries me is his ability to play on the boundary when necessary. 68.9% of his targets came from behind the line of scrimmage or between the numbers. It’s hard to tell if that was a scheme concept or a lack of boundary ability for Pearsall, but it is something that has me worried.

2. Success Against Heavy Press Coverage

When facing heavy press coverage, Ricky Pearsall struggles to find consistent success. His film reveals challenges in effectively disengaging from physical cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage, leading to disrupted routes and diminished opportunities for receptions. Despite his other strengths, such as route running and catching ability, Pearsall’s performance against tight press coverage raises concerns about his ability to consistently win battles at the line of scrimmage.

Fantasy Outlook