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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Forness

Vikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: Florida WR Ricky Pearsall

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.

The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.

Background

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Pearsall

  • Florida
  • Transferred from Arizona State
  • Height-6010
  • Weight-190 lbs
  • Fifth-year senior
  • 3-Star recruit per 247 Sports
  • Stats: 234 targets, 160 receptions, 2,426 yards, 11.8 YPR,  14 touchdowns, 21 rushes, 253 yards. 5 touchdowns
  • Games watched: Florida State 2023, Alabama 2023, Florida 2023

Strengths

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Pearsall is a smooth mover. He doesn’t have to decelerate when making his break. Varies his tempo to keep the coverage defender off balance.

Has positive awareness. Understands where he is on the field at all times and gets his feat down on the sidelines. Pearsall also tracks the ball well in the air and gets underneath it to make the catch. Also has a feel for the soft spots in zone coverage. Knows when to sit down and give his quarterback an easy target.

Hands are a plus for Pearsall. Has made some tremendous catches this season, including one of the greatest catches ever. Just six drops on 234 targets in his career.

Weaknesses

Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun

Pearsall is a very smooth mover, but he isn’t the most explosive player. Looks to be a mid 4.5 40-yard dash type of player. He has an element of quickness but doesn’t show a lot of explosiveness.

This also hiders his yards-after-catch ability, a role that he was asked to play but didn’t thrive in. There are real questions as to whether or not he can be a YAC threat at the next level.

Pearsall struggles with physicality in the open field at at the line of scrimmage. He is a career 45.2% contested catch receiver (14/31) but how will that translate to the next level? It is a concern, especially with his size.

Overview

Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun
Hands 8.3/10
Release 7.8/10
Route Running 12.5/15
Separation 12.2/15
Contested Catches 8.0/10
Tracking 8.1/10
Body Control 7.8/10
YAC Ability 7.2/10
Agility 7.4/10
Grade 79.3/100 Third Round

Pearsall feels like a safe player to take on day two or three at the position. He won’t wow you with his consistency or explosiveness but he has the flare to make the spectacular catch. His best fit is to be a complementary receiver that can be either in the slot or on the outside.

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