The San Francisco 49ers got quality production from their 2024 draft class, but they’ll need the collective arrow from that group of players to continue trending up in 2025 if they’re going to get back to Super Bowl form.
Their first-round pick from last season, Ricky Pearsall, was predicted by ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry to be one of the NFL’s top breakout names in 2025.
On a panel that selected players and coaches like Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (the No. 1 overall pick in 2024), New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (No. 3 overall) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 4 overall pick), Thiry pointed to Pearsall (No. 31) above the others for the increased opportunity he’ll presumably have in 2025.
Via ESPN:
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. After a full offseason with quarterback Brock Purdy, along with the likely departure of Deebo Samuel Sr. (requested a trade), Pearsall will prove why the 49ers took him in the first round.
Fire pick. Can’t lie.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense is notoriously tough on rookies, but what makes Pearsall’s success in Year 1 even more impressive is his adversity-filled path to playing time.
He dealt with a hamstring injury that cost him the early part of training camp, then he suffered a shoulder injury immediately after returning that kept him out of preseason games. Then he was shot through the chest the weekend before the regular season opened, costing him six weeks of games and practices.
That he was able to get 11 games under his belt and haul in 31 catches for 300 yards and four touchdowns is impressive, and makes him a sound choice for a breakout campaign if he’s able to stay healthy for a full offseason.