Devy Digest: Ricky Pearsall

The Devy Digest, highlighting Florida Gaters wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

• Ricky Pearsall
• Position: Wide Receiver
• Florida Gators
  
• 6’0” 193 lbs
  
• Age: 23
  
• Draft Eligible: 2024
  
• Devy Digest WR 2024 Draft Rank: 11

Who is Ricky Pearsall?

Ricky Pearsall was a 3⭐️ in the composites and attended Corona Del Sol High in Arizona. He was part of the 2019 recruiting class and initially committed to Arizona State. As a true Freshman, Pearsall saw limited action and showed his prowess for making plays. After the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Pearsall led the team in receiving in 2021. Due to sanctions possibly coming down with the Arizona State coaching staff, there was a mass exodus of players that summer. This included Pearsall, who transferred to Florida. Pearsall spent the next two years in Gainesville and became the go-to receiver for the Florida Gators.

Strengths

Ricky Pearsall has outstanding body control and awareness. He is aware of his positioning on the field at all times, and can contort his body to stay inbounds. Additionally, Pearsall has excellent short area burst and suddenness that allows him to change direction on a dime. His hip fluidity in conjunction with that quickness allows him to be excellent on in and out breaking routes.

Pearsall uses his suddenness to create separation and have his corners on skaters. He is also a tough wide receiver who is not afraid to work across the middle and take on a hit. Pearsall also brings with him a strong pair of hands. Overall, the above combination will allow him to be a favorite of any quarterback.

The receiver is also especially good at tracking the football and shows his hands late to not allow defenders any advantage to break up a pass. Pearsall is a smooth route runner who uses tempo and footwork to manipulate his defender. He is a true tactician in the route running aspect of football and has the innate sense on where to sit in zone coverages.

Finally, Pearsall is a quarterback-friendly option at the next level. He’s not afraid to get dirty. Additionally, he will pass block to help in the run game. Overall, his game reminds me of Adam Thielen. At the end of the day, Pearsall led two programs in receptions and helped become a leader at two separate programs.

Areas for Improvements & Concerns

Ricky Pearsall has quick short-area burst, but he lacks long speed. Unfortunately, he will not be someone to take the top off a defense. Instead, he will be used in more short to intermediate routes. Due to this, corners can press him since they are not afraid to get beat deep or get blown by in a couple of steps. Also, physical corners cause Pearsall issues, as he gets knocked off his line and stopped at the line of scrimmage.

Pearsall needs to develop a repertoire of release packages to win consistently on the outside at the next level. Being part of the 2019 class, he is an older prospect. He will turn 24 at the start of the 2024 NFL season. One could argue what Pearsall brings at the next level isn’t unique enough to standout. Additionally, he could even be replaced before the end of his rookie contract. The Florida wide receiver is a good but not great athlete. At the end of the day, he might just be a chain moving possession slot receiver. Pearsall will need to outwork his peers at the next level, which is another reason he reminds me of Thielen.

Beyond the Numbers

Ricky Pearsall lined up in the slot just over 58% of the time in college and worked outside at about 41%. In his final season, he averaged 5.8 yards after the catch and used on more short to intermediate routes. His his aDOT was 11.1 yards, with yards per route run of 2.23 this past season. Pearsall has a career 1.99 yards per route ran and is credited with six drops or a 3.6% for his collegiate career. He finished with a 52.6% win rate on contested catches.

Devy & C2C Value

In most devy drafts, Pearsall most likely was not drafted at all. Meanwhile in deeper devy drafts, he was mostly undrafted. He is locked as a first round pick in depleted devy drafts if he obtains that Day 2 capital in the 2024 NFL draft. If you do have him in a devy league, wait until the draft to move him. If you don’t need a wide receiver, try to trade him for an established NFL asset. 

In C2C leagues, you can probably wait until we get draft capital and off-season camp buzz to off-load him. We have seen slot pieces work at the next level for fantasy purposes. If you decide to hang onto him, he should return nicely on your investment. Pearsall wasn’t a high draft pick in most start ups, but getting Day 2 draft capital is a win in this format.

NFL Outlook

Ricky Pearsall is a pure football player, with a high IQ. He is also a great route runner who has excellent body control. Pearsall would serve best in a system with an established wide receiver where he can work his way into the slot role. Potentially, he could carve out the number three option early on in his career. But first, he needs to develop rapport and trust with his quarterback in order to work his way into the offense.

Regardless, one should not expect Pearsall to be the established target earner in any room. Due to his 2023 season, he has likely worked his way into Day 2 draft capital. Pearsall left after day two of the Senior Bowl, which typically means a player has some assurance of their draft stock to skip out on day three of practice and the actual game.

I do have Pearsall going within the first 75 picks of the NFL draft. With that kind of draft capital, he might garner a slot option with a NFL team, and work his way into flex territory in your fantasy leagues.