Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport recently highlighted seven NFL players rapidly climbing 2025 fantasy football draft boards, and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was among them.
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given the current state of the 49ers' wide receiver room. Brandon Aiyuk is expected to miss at least the first five games of the season while recovering from ACL and MCL injuries. Jauan Jennings, who was slated to step into the WR1 role, continues to battle a lingering calf injury with no firm return timeline—plus, he wants a new contract.
The depth chart has been further tested with injuries to Russell Gage, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing, while veteran Demarcus Robinson will serve a three-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
That leaves Pearsall with a golden opportunity to step into a featured role. His growing chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy, which has been on display throughout training camp—and in their lone preseason drive together—suggests he could become a reliable target early in the season.
Pearsall flashed promise in his rookie year, recording 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games, despite missing the first six contests after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest. An offseason hamstring injury briefly set him back, but now healthy, the 49ers' second-year wideout could be primed for a breakout NFL season.
Davenport even believes Pearsall could open the year as the 49ers' top wide receiver.
"Add in the reports of improved chemistry between Pearsall and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy," Davenport wrote, "and a pass-catcher who was little more than a late-round flier early in the summer now has the look of a viable third fantasy starter—at least.
"And if Pearsall can make the most of what could be an extended audition in this role, then even once Jennings and Aiyuk return, he could remain a big part of Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"If his rising asking price in drafts is any indication, quite a few drafters expect him to."
The 49ers close out their preseason Saturday night against the Los Angeles Chargers before shifting focus to their Week 1 road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on September 7.