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The San Francisco 49ers' selection of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick does not indicate an imminent departure for Brandon Aiyuk. Let's make that clear right now. The 49ers remain focused on signing their veteran wideout to a long-term deal.
While ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes that Pearsall's selection could lead to the eventual parting ways with one of the 49ers' wide receivers, he points out another impact Aiyuk's former Arizona State teammate might have on his 2024 campaign.
"Aiyuk might be delighted to link up with a former teammate, but in the short term, adding another first-round pick to an already-crowded group of playmakers only makes it harder for Aiyuk to repeat his breakout 1,342-yard season from a year ago," Barnwell explained in a feature for ESPN.
Aiyuk led the 49ers in receiving yards last season, surpassing 1,000 for the second consecutive season and proving he can be a top receiver in the NFL. Aiyuk couldn't have picked a better time to have his most productive season, as it will only aid him at the contract negotiation table.
The 49ers reportedly received calls before and during the draft from teams inquiring about trading for Aiyuk. Multiple reports indicated that San Francisco sought a first-round pick for the wideout, and no offer intrigued them enough to consider moving on from him.
Aiyuk is scheduled to earn $14.124 million on a team-exercised fifth-year option. Understandably, he would prefer to secure his financial future with an extension.
Regarding Pearsall, while the first-year player isn't viewed as an eventual replacement for Aiyuk, that doesn't necessarily mean he won't replace someone. Deebo Samuel is slated to count $24.2 million against the salary cap in 2025, while Jauan Jennings is scheduled to become a free agent.
Barnwell concluded, "Pearsall might not be a direct replacement for Aiyuk in the short term, but his presence could indicate San Francisco expects to move on from one of its wideouts sooner rather than later."
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More San Francisco 49ers News
Bucky Brooks explains why 49ers drafting Ricky Pearsall was a reaction to Super Bowl loss
By David Bonilla
May 11
NFL Network's Bucky Brooks believes Ricky Pearsall will open up opportunities for head coach Kyle Shanahan. He suggests that drafting the rookie was a response to the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl 58 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. During the "NFL Fantasy Football Show," Brooks stated that the rookie wide receiver will address some issues the 49ers offense faced against man coverage.
"I think it's a direct reaction to the Super Bowl," Brooks declared.
Confidently entering the game, the 49ers believed they had a solid game plan for the Chiefs, who had previously defeated them in the Super Bowl only four years
NFLPA Rookie Premiere showcases Ricky Pearsall in full 49ers uniform
By David Bonilla
May 18
The San Francisco 49ers first-round draft pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, is in Los Angeles this weekend for the NFLPA's annual Rookie Premiere. This event provides invitees from the NFL's incoming rookie class an opportunity to network and engage with NFL partners for potential marketing deals.
The NFL and NFLPA shared videos of the rookies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as they take the field in their full team uniforms for photo opportunities. Pearsall can be seen in these videos.
Group 2️⃣ is fitted.
AFC GM hoped to draft 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall: "It was a great pick"
By David Bonilla
May 9
The San Francisco 49ers' selection of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick in the draft surprised many, with several analysts labeling it as a reach. However, one AFC general manager described the pick as "great."
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta had hoped to select Pearsall and was disappointed to see the former Florida wide receiver chosen at the end of the first round. While he admits to being surprised by Pearsall's early selection, he thought the Ravens might have a chance at him later.
"It was a great pick. I give those guys a lot of credit," DeCosta said of the 49ers' selection,
Does 49ers QB Brock Purdy need Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel for success?
By David Bonilla
May 15
Rumors circulated before and during the 2024 NFL Draft about the possibility of the San Francisco 49ers losing one of their top two wide receivers—Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Such a scenario could have significantly impacted the team's success in the upcoming season and posed a potential blow for quarterback Brock Purdy, who has thrived alongside the dynamic duo on the field.
However, none of these speculations came to fruition. Both Aiyuk and Samuel remain on the roster, at least for another season, though their future beyond that remains uncertain.
Aiyuk is seeking a contract extension that would position him among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. At the same time, Samuel already commands a significant salary following a deal rework in 2022.
