Underwhelming first round receiver branded ‘biggest bust’ as $230million replacements brought in

The San Francisco 49ers made a flurry of moves this offseason which sent a clear message to Ricky Pearsall.

Unfortunately, the receiver out of Florida hasn’t been the wide receiver the 49ers expected when they selected him with the 31st pick in the draft.

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Pearsall was shot in the chest in a robbery attempt before taking a snap in the regular season.

On the field, he has battled with injuries, starting in just 20 games in his two years, with 928 yards and three touchdowns.

Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton believes the 24-year-old is set to struggle again in 2026, and had some harsh words for the Niners wideout.

“Following the 2026 season, the San Francisco 49ers must decide on the fifth-year option in Ricky Pearsall’s contract,” Moton wrote in a column predicting each team’s ‘biggest bust.’

“At this point, they would probably decline it because of his modest production and spotty availability last season.

“In 2025, Pearsall caught 36 passes for 528 scoreless yards. Even without Brandon Aiyuk for an entire season, the 2024 first-rounder didn’t take full advantage of increased opportunities in the aerial attack, partially due to injuries.“

Pearsall’s inability to take advantage of the increase playing time forced the franchise to spend heavily on upgrades to the position.

Mike Evans is Niners’ new alpha

The Niners signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Mike Evans to a three-year, $42m contract.

Christian Kirk arrived one a one-year deal after posting 239 yards in 13 appearances for the Houston Texans in 2025.

In the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, they selected De’Zauhn Stribling – forcing general manager John Lynch to defend acquisitions that they were reaching.

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The total career earnings between Kirk and Evans exceed $230 million.

“In his age-33 term, Evans can still command a significant target share,” Moton continued.

“Kirk can see notable playing time as an inside-outside receiver … head coach Kyle Shanahan values Stribling’s blocking ability.

“As a former first-round pick, Pearsall may be underwhelming again this year.”

Brandon Aiyuk’s eventual departure from the franchise will clear up space in the WR room, but Pearsall enters the 2026 preseason with zero margin for error.

The former first-round pick risk being entirely phased out of the team’s long-term blueprints before his rookie contract even approaches its end.

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NFL.com’s Nick Shook thinks otherwise.

“Pearsall’s career has known nothing but unexpected interruptions, he wrote. “San Francisco’s receiving corps certainly could have used more help in 2025 and the club acted accordingly in 2026, luring Mike Evans away from Tampa, signing Christian Kirk and spending the first pick of the second round on De’Zhaun Stribling.

“Consequently, Pearsall will operate in a deeper receiver room that won’t allow opposing defenses to key on him, setting up the 25-year-old for a breakout season — provided he can stay on the field.”

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