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
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
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.
Florida WR Ricky Pearsall had the best catch of the college football season and has an absurd catch radius in general ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/RRi316bKen
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 18, 2023
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
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
| 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.
