Barring an unexpected offseason move, the San Francisco 49ers appear set to enter the 2025 season with Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall as their top wide receivers. The team traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round draft pick, willingly taking on a $31.55 million dead cap hit. That decision suggests the 49ers believe Samuel's best years may be behind him.
San Francisco could still add a veteran in free agency and is almost certain to draft at least one receiver—though likely not in the first round. The team, coming off a disappointing 6-11 season and a last-place finish in the NFC West, has too many other pressing needs.
With Aiyuk recovering from ACL and MCL injuries, Jennings and Pearsall could become quarterback Brock Purdy's top receiving options—along with key playmakers at other positions like George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey. Jennings had a breakout 2024 campaign, posting 975 receiving yards and six touchdowns. By comparison, Samuel has only surpassed that yardage total once in his career.
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The perception that Jennings is trending upward while Samuel's production is diminishing may have contributed to the 49ers' decision to move on from their All-Pro wideout.
Pearsall, the 49ers' first-round pick in 2024, finished his rookie season with 400 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, he missed the first six games after recovering from a gunshot wound sustained during a robbery attempt. He flashed his potential late in the season, including an impressive Week 17 performance against the Detroit Lions, where he hauled in eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown.
"We've all seen that in Ricky since he's been here, the way he runs routes, and he's explosive," quarterback Brock Purdy said after that game. "And, for all of us, it's like, we just need to get him in some really good situations and get him the ball because he's a playmaker.
"And so, tonight, to be able to do that for him, I'm really, really happy for him. I know that that'll be good for us moving forward, just our chemistry. So, more than anything, really happy for him, and he deserves it, and he's going to continue to do that kind of stuff for us."
Pearsall downplayed the significance of his breakout performance, insisting that's the level he expects from himself every game.
"Those are the catches I'm supposed to make," Pearsall said after the Lions game. "When Brock throws the ball in my way, I've got to make the plays and make the most out of every opportunity I can. So, no surprise."
Pearsall added, "That's what they brought me here to do, so I'm going to continue to do that. And for me, like I said earlier, it's no surprise for me and myself. I've got all the confidence in the world in myself."
He followed that game with a nice performance in a meaningless Week 18 outing, recording six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.
Pearsall is eager to build on the chemistry he and Purdy developed last season. The two planned to get together during the offseason to put in some work outside of team-organized activities. Pearsall is confident his experience as a rookie will lead to a more productive second year.
"I'm definitely excited to build on stuff that I left off on and continue to grow as a player," Pearsall said in January. "And now, I know what's expected. Not going to be a rookie anymore, so nothing's going to be really new. I'll be able to definitely grow as a player. I'm excited for it."
In February, ESPN's Lindsey Thiry named Pearsall as a prime breakout candidate for 2025.
"The 49ers drafted Pearsall with the intention that he would play a larger role in his second season, but after recovering from a gunshot wound, he was needed earlier than anticipated following a series of injuries to teammates," Thiry wrote. "After a full offseason with quarterback Brock Purdy, along with the likely departure of Deebo Samuel Sr. (now gone), Pearsall will prove why the 49ers took him in the first round."
San Francisco remains excited about Pearsall's future, and his surprise first-round selection last year may have hinted that the team knew Samuel's days with the team were numbered. Now, the young receiver has a golden opportunity to prove he's ready for a bigger role in the 49ers' offense.