San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk on Ricky Pearsall selection: 'Fire pick'
The San Francisco 49ers added fuel to the rumors that they are looking to trade star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk — who's entering the final season of his rookie deal — by selecting Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 30 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
That said, Aiyuk appears enthusiastic about the draft choice, as 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that the receiver referenced their first-round draft choice to him as a "fire pick," according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Deebo Samuel, who is entering the final season of a three-year, $71.6 million deal, also emerged as a trade candidate Thursday, with the San Francisco Chronicle reporting on Thursday night that it's more likely the 49ers move Samuel than Aiyuk.
Furthermore, Houston Texans quarterback and the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud, expressed agony that Pearsall was taken, apparently hoping that Pearsall would fall to the Texans — who didn't have a first-round pick — in Round 2 (No. 42). Stroud also referred to Pearsall as "elite."
Pearsall spent his first three collegiate seasons at Arizona State (2019-21), where he was teammates with Aiyuk as a freshman. He spent the following two seasons (2022-23) at Florida. Last season, Pearsall totaled 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns. His receptions and receiving yards were career bests and also led the Gators.
Meanwhile, Aiyuk is coming off back-to-back 1,000-plus receiving yard seasons. This past season, he established himself as San Francisco's top pass-catcher, reeling in 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories.
Aiyuk was part of an elite 49ers offense last season that averaged 257.9 passing yards (fourth in the NFL), 140.5 rushing yards (third), 398.4 total yards (second) and 28.9 points (third) per game.
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]
-
2024 NFL division predictions: Winners for each AFC and NFC division
2024 NFL strength of schedule: Ranking every team's slate
2025 Super Bowl LIX odds: Arizona Cardinals on the move after schedule release
-
Inside the NFL schedule puzzle: Byes, Christmas, overseas trips and Taylor Swift
2024 NFL schedule: Featured matchups on FOX's America's Game of the Week
NFL Week 1 odds, predictions, best bets: Lines for all 16 games
-
2024 NFL schedule release videos: Chargers, Patriots, Cowboys among those going viral
Irish interest in NFL heats up as league scouts more cities to host games
NFL schedule makers didn't seek out Chiefs game close to Taylor Swift concerts
-
2024 NFL division predictions: Winners for each AFC and NFC division
2024 NFL strength of schedule: Ranking every team's slate
2025 Super Bowl LIX odds: Arizona Cardinals on the move after schedule release
-
Inside the NFL schedule puzzle: Byes, Christmas, overseas trips and Taylor Swift
2024 NFL schedule: Featured matchups on FOX's America's Game of the Week
NFL Week 1 odds, predictions, best bets: Lines for all 16 games
-
2024 NFL schedule release videos: Chargers, Patriots, Cowboys among those going viral
Irish interest in NFL heats up as league scouts more cities to host games
NFL schedule makers didn't seek out Chiefs game close to Taylor Swift concerts