The Cincinnati Bengals appear resolute in their commitment to building around their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, and this effort begins with bolstering their receiving corps.
According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, the Bengals are projected to select Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the second round with the No. 49 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, set to take place from April 25-27 in Detroit.
Miller emphasized the importance of providing Burrow with a full arsenal of weapons, particularly as the team operates within a three-wide receiver offensive scheme. With the uncertainty surrounding Tee Higgins, who remains on the franchise tag, and Tyler Boyd, who is currently a free agent, adding Pearsall would offer Cincinnati an additional option opposite standout receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Miller praised Pearsall’s speed, exceptional footwork in the end zone, and ability to track the ball effectively.
Pearsall’s stock has continued to rise as the draft approaches, particularly after an impressive college career. Beginning at Arizona State, where he recorded 48 receptions for 580 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2021, Pearsall transferred to Florida and showcased his skills with 98 receptions for 1,626 yards and 12 total touchdowns over two seasons.
Renowned NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah ranked Pearsall as the No. 39 overall prospect and the seventh-best wide receiver prospect after his standout performances in practices leading up to the 2024 Senior Bowl, despite not playing in the game itself. Jeremiah praised Pearsall’s fluidity, exceptional hands, toughness, route-running prowess, and ability to make highlight-reel catches, projecting him to potentially secure a starting role from day one with his new team.
At the NFL combine, Pearsall further solidified his standing as a top prospect with impressive physical attributes. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 189 pounds, he showcased his speed with a 40-yard dash time of 4.41 seconds and displayed remarkable explosiveness with a 42-inch vertical leap.
Notably, Pearsall’s experience catching passes from talented quarterbacks could bode well for his transition to the NFL. Having played alongside Jayden Daniels at Arizona State, who won the 2023 Heisman Trophy and transferred to LSU, and Anthony Richardson at Florida, who was selected fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, Pearsall is accustomed to working with elite talent under center.
Analysts also highlight the potential motivation for teams to target standout wide receivers in later rounds of the draft, particularly after the success of players like BYU’s Puka Nacua, who set NFL rookie records in 2023. Lance Zierlein, an NFL analyst, praises Pearsall’s ability to create separation and manipulate coverage, despite concerns about his foot quickness against press coverage.
In sum, as the NFL Draft draws near, the Cincinnati Bengals’ potential selection of Ricky Pearsall represents a strategic move to fortify their offense and provide Joe Burrow with the weapons he needs to succeed at the professional level. With his combination of speed, route-running ability, and big-play potential, Pearsall could emerge as a key contributor for the Bengals as they strive to contend in the competitive AFC North division.
