49ers 90-in-90: Setting realistic expectations for Ricky Pearsall

Basic Info

**Age:**25 (birthday is in September **Experience:**2 accrued seasons **Height:**6’1 **Weight:**189 pounds

**Cap Status**

Pearsall is entering the third season of his rookie contract. His 2026 base salary of $1.93 million is guaranteed. His protated signing bonus is $1.48 million. Pearsall’s cap number is $3.41 million.

Were the offseason additions due to Pearsall?

Pearsall led the NFL with 264 receiving yards on downfield throws through the first three weeks of the season. He caught one downfield pass on five targets once he returned during the first three games. Then, once Ricky started getting going, he caught all seven of his downfield targets for 141 yards during the final few weeks of the season. We believe the 49ers added talent around Pearsall for multiple reasons. The fact that he led the team in targets and receptions on 20+ air-yard throws despite playing just 43% of the snaps means the team needed *someone* else reliable on the perimeter. Still, there are enough examples through two seasons to suggest Pearsall will either get banged up or not perform like a WR1, which is the expectation when you take a receiver in the first round. Last year, we asked Pearsall to be a better version of what Deebo Samuel was in his final year. Pearsall had 36 receptions for 528 yards, but failed to reach the end zone. He also only had two carries, which was something else Deebo brought to the table. Deebo scored four touchdowns in 2024 and had 670 receiving yards and 136 rushing yards. Sports Info Solutions rated Pearsall better by roughly five points, thanks to those early-season big plays.

What are realistic expectations for Pearsall in 2026?

Let’s raise the bar for Ricky in 2026. How about a Brandon Aiyuk 2022 season? BA had 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns that season. If Ricky can play all 17 games, it’s not a stretch to think he can produce his first 1,000-yard season as a pro. We believe the additions of Mike Evans, De’Zhaun Stribling, and Christian Kirk will help Pearsall around him by taking away coverage and opening up things for the third-year pro all over the field. Is that too much to ask? It’s a big year for Pearsall. Year 3 is when you’re talking about extending your first-rounder. Instead, the 49ers may be asking themselves whether they want to pick up his fifth-year option. A healthy, productive season will go a long way toward the 49ers’ success in 2026. If not, we might be having a difficult conversation about Pearsall this time next year.