Revamping the wide receiving corps around Patrick Mahomes might hold the key to the Kansas City Chiefs making a legitimate run at a third consecutive Super Bowl title, and even after signing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, general manager Brett Veach’s work isn’t done.
Brown adds a deep-threat element that the Chiefs lacked in 2023 but as the 2024 NFL Draft nears, Kansas City could be in the mix for one of the more fascinating, but unheralded prospects in this year’s class.
Pro Football Focus lists the Kansas City Chiefs as a top team to watch for University of Florida first-round sleeper, Ricky Pearsall.
“Wide receiver was a glaring need for Kansas City entering the offseason,” Lauren Gray writes for PFF. “And may have become even more so after the latest Rashee Rice news. The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown (67.1) in free agency, and tight end Travis Kelce (1,339 receiving yards) continues to lead the receiving attack. While cornerback Kamari Lassiter would be a great fit at No. 32, Pearsall is another NFL-ready option.”
Pearsall is the type of player who could benefit from top receivers going off the board in the top-10 picks, or a run on the position in the middle of the first round.
Last season, Pearsall averaged a healthy 14.8 yards per reception while pulling down 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns.
Pearsall’s route-running prowess and reliability could give him the chance to compete for meaningful snaps from the slot for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.
Ricky Pearsall NFL Draft Scouting Report
There’s a reason Pearsall’s stock is rising, and it’s his consistent production.
Across five collegiate seasons, spending three years at Arizona State prior to transferring to Florida in 2022, Pearsall caught 159 passes for 2,420 yards with 14 touchdowns.
“Dependable slot target with good size and soft hands,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Pearsall. “Who will need to prove that he has the ability to free himself against NFL man coverage. Pearsall might get the stereotypical “crafty route runner” label. But, it suits him.
“He appears to play with an idea of how to manipulate certain coverage looks and leverages. He also plays with attention to detail and a consistent route tempo to create windows, but lacks ideal foot quickness to beat press and maintain separation.”
Pro Football Focus points out Pearsall posted an elite drop rate of just 3%, and 342 of his receiving yards came from deep passes.
Why Pearsall Fits Kansas City Chiefs
If there’s one element that is a prerequisite for wide receivers in the Chiefs’ offense, it’s speed. And Pearsall has plenty of it.
“Praised for his quickness, route-running ability and reliable hands,” Gray writes. “Pearsall is considered to be one of the best slot receivers in the draft.”
Given the uncertainty surrounding Rice, and Kadarius Toney’s inability to consistently translate his immense athleticism into production, Pearsall could slide into the role of Kansas City’s starting slot receiver.
Thanks to the attention secondaries must now pay Brown, and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce’s ability to turn any catch over the middle into an explosive play, Pearsall could see plenty of opportunities from the slot.
As the Chiefs look to significantly upgrade Mahomes’ supporting cast, depending on how many of the top receivers go flying off the board in the first-half of the first round, Pearsall could certainly be a name to watch for Kansas City.
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