Ricky Pearsall

Ricky Pearsall is entering the 2025 fantasy football season with strong upside, especially given his role in one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses, the San Francisco 49ers. After a rookie year marred by injuries and limited targets, Pearsall really began to showcase his potential late last season. He posted impressive weekly finishes as high as WR7 and WR14 in scoring, handling a heavy target share when on the field. This shows he can be a reliable fantasy contributor when healthy and integrated in the offense.

The departure of Deebo Samuel and the ACL injury to Brandon Aiyuk, expected to sideline him for about six games this year, opens up significant playing time and target opportunities for Pearsall. This raises the likelihood that Pearsall will slide into a WR1 or WR2 role alongside George Kittle in San Francisco’s high-powered passing game. His blend of elite route-running, speed (4.41 40-yard dash at the combine), and strength make him a promising candidate to capitalize on these opportunities. However, Pearsall’s injury history continues to be a concern after he missed time last year with a chest injury and experienced a hamstring issue this offseason.

Fortunately, as of mid-August 2025, Pearsall has been activated off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, confirming he is fully available to participate in training camp and ready for Week 1. This is an encouraging sign for fantasy managers, as durability has been one of the few question marks for Pearsall’s profile. His ability to stay healthy this season will be critical not only for his development but also for fantasy impact, especially given the injuries around him that thrust him into a bigger role.

In terms of fantasy value, Pearsall’s average draft position remains relatively low for a player with his upside—making him a very attractive sleeper pick. If he can maintain his health and secure that prominent role in the offense, he has the potential to outproduce his draft cost considerably. Fantasy experts are optimistic that Pearsall could finish as a WR2 or better, helping managers contend for titles in 2025. His combination of talent, opportunity, and affordability makes him a compelling player to target in drafts and trades this year.

Updated 08/23/2025