Florida WR Ricky Pearsall Reveals Details of Pre-Draft Visit with Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have looked at all types of wide receivers in the NFL Draft process so far, but it seems they are settling on the second group to target. That includes Xavier Legette, Malachi Corley, and others, but Florida’s Ricky Pearsall feels like a legitimate option at 51st overall.
However, Tony Pauline has heard that Pearsall is flying up the board faster than any other wide receiver in the entire 2024 NFL Draft class.
“The receiver rising faster than any other is Ricky Pearsall of Florida. Several teams have placed an early second-round grade on Pearsall, another surehanded receiver who had a tremendous combine workout with times of 4.41 seconds in the 40 and 6.64 seconds in the three-cone and a vertical jump of 42 inches,” Pauline said.
Pearsall discussed the inner details of his pre-draft visit with the Steelers during an appearance on the Up and Adams Show with Kay Adams on Wednesday.
“It was very laid back. It was definitely a change from my other 30 visits. It was refreshing to see coaches like that. They’re both really good dudes, really good coaches, and I’d be really excited to be able to play [for] them,” Pearsall said about meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Adams followed up with asking Pearsall what Tomlin and Smith were most impressed with about him. Pearsall, who turns 24 in September, said they liked his age and experience.
“They pointed at my age at one point, saying that I’m an experienced player and they like that about me,” he said. “A lot of teams, well a lot of things, that come up with the age thing like it’s a negative thing, but they took it as a positive thing, which I really thought was cool. And just how skilled of a player I am, top to bottom, when it comes to route running, understanding the game, and so that’s what they were impressed with.”
Pearsall had an impressive performance at the NFL Combine, recording a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and a 42-inch vertical.
After trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers last month, wide receiver has become a top priority for the Steelers in the draft. Pearsall is projected to be a late second or third-round pick.
Pearsall transferred to Florida from Arizona State in 2022. In his two seasons as a Florida Gator, he recorded 98 receptions for 1,626 yards (16.6 average) and nine touchdowns. At Arizona State, he caught 61 passes for 794 yards (13.0 average) and five touchdowns.
Overall, Pearsall is a vertical slot receiver that has nice speed and ball skills. Florida often deployed him from the slot and put him in motion. His pro comp is Kenny Stills.
“Pearsall’s toughness, sure hands and blocking ability give him a trustworthy floor,” Derrick Bell of Steelers Now wrote in his scouting report on Pearsall. “It’s fair to acknowledge that other receivers in the class might have more potential but this is a player that’s ready to come in and contribute right away. It’s true that this receiver class is loaded, both at the top and from a depth standpoint, which could cause him to fall further than he would in a normal cycle. If the Steelers can plug some of their other holes prior to draft weekend, spending a mid-round pick on Pearsall makes a ton of sense and could prove wise very quickly.”
If the Steelers don’t address the wide receiver position in the first-round with a top-flight prospect, Pearsall could be a solid option in the mid rounds.
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