The 49ers' surprising draft selection of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 overall came as a response to their Super Bowl loss due to facing sticky man coverage. Quarterback Brock Purdy targeted Deebo Samuel and others but struggled against zone defense.
Pearsall was chosen for his speed, athleticism, and detail-oriented approach to route-running and catching. The 49ers see him as a key part of evolving the offense with Purdy at the helm. Pearsall's selection was unexpected given lack of prior connections to the team.