The 49ers were high on Pearsall coming out of college, selecting him as the 31st overall pick—an eye-opening choice given the team's immediate needs at the time. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan had clear expectations for the rookie in a wide receiver room already featuring Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, and then-holdout Brandon Aiyuk.
However, Pearsall's first NFL season began with adversity. Just before the start of the season, he was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt, causing him to miss the first six games. Despite this setback, Pearsall showed flashes of the potential Lynch and Shanahan saw in him, turning in key performances after the bye week.
"Pearsall endured about as arduous of a first season as possible but still offered solid results, turning in a 64.1 PFF receiving grade with only a 3.1% drop rate," Locker wrote. "The former Florida product was even stronger during his final two years of college, posting an 82.6 PFF receiving grade and 2.19 yards per route run."
Aiyuk, unfortunately, suffered a season-ending knee injury during Pearsall's NFL debut on October 20. While Aiyuk is expected to return at some point in 2025, the timeline for his recovery and return to peak form remains uncertain.
"In light of the fact that the 49ers may trade Deebo Samuel and that Brandon Aiyuk is still returning from a severe knee injury, Pearsall will presumably shoulder more on his plate in 2025," Locker noted.
Though Samuel is frequently the subject of trade rumors, Lynch has stated that the team plans to retain the versatile wideout for 2025, his final season under contract.
"A good player and has done a ton for this organization," Lynch said. "We're not in the business of letting good players out of here."
Pearsall finished his rookie season with 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns. If Aiyuk requires additional time to return to full health, Pearsall could see an even greater role in 2025, building on the promise he showed as a rookie.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers vs. Titans PFF grades: Best and worst from the game, plus snap counts
The San Francisco 49ers dropped their preseason opener, suffering a 19-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Pro Football Focus released its grades and snap counts from the game, providing a closer look at which 49ers players stood out and who has more work to do. Highest-graded... -
49ers inquired about Vita Vea while Buccaneers insist they aren't trading him
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo provided an update on Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea, revealing that the San Francisco 49ers are among the teams that have inquired about his availability. Vea requested a trade in July after contract talks with the Buccaneers... -
49ers training camp: Titans joint practice sparks fights; Defense, Brock Purdy shine
The San Francisco 49ers held their 11th full training camp practice on Tuesday as they continued preparations for the 2026 NFL season. The practice was a joint session with the Tennessee Titans, whom the 49ers will face in Thursday night's preseason opener. Head coach Kyle... -
Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy share updates after 49ers-Titans joint practice
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy spoke with reporters after Tuesday's joint practice with the Tennessee Titans. Here's everything they had to say. Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff. Head Coach Kyle...