Young 49ers starter named breakout candidate for 2026

The San Francisco 49ers need all the help they can get from across the roster if they want to take back the NFC West, especially from their young players. The team hasn't seen a lot of success from it's first-round picks recently, either because of injury, poor play or both.

One of those players is third-year receiver Ricky Pearsall. The 2024 first-rounder has been injured a lot early in his career, and his production has been middling at best when he's been on the field. Pearsall has just 67 receptions for 928 yards and three touchdowns in 20 career games over two seasons.

For all intents and purposes, Pearsall should be considered a bust given his draft pedigree. But that could change in 2026. Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport named Pearsall one of his top six bust-to-breakout candidates for the season. Why? Because the 49ers finally brought in a clear WR1 in Mike Evans to soak up attention from defenses, as well as a veteran pass-catcher in Christian Kirk. The presence of both should open up more holes for Pearsall.

Even with Evans and Kirk out there, Pearsall should not only see targets with George Kittle's early-season availability in question, but will see them in single coverage.

Pearsall has been written off in many circles. But there's a legitimate scenario where Pearsall has far and away the best season of his career this year.

When Pearsall catches the ball, it's usually for a big gain: He averages an absurd 13.9 yards per reception for his career. But without a true top target in out wide, Pearsall hasn't been able to break free often when he's been healthy. That looks like it will change in 2026, though, with the inclusion of Evans and Kirk. Even second-round rookie De'Zhaun Stribling could draw coverage and give Pearsall more daylight.