Steelers WR Target Ricky Pearsall Flying up Draft Boards

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 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 week, 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. Pittsburgh held a pre-draft visit with him.

“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.

The NFL allows each team to have 30 pre-draft visits. Local visits are not counted.