San Francisco 49ers' first-round selection of Ricky Pearsall receives effusive praise from rival GM

The San Francisco 49ers' first-round selection of Ricky Pearsall in the 2024 NFL Draft was one met with both skepticism and praise.

While many questioned the 49ers prioritizing wide receiver with two All-Pros at the position already on the roster and expressed their belief that the pick was a reach, plenty lauded the Niners for taking a wideout who is a perfect fit for their offense.

One of the biggest fans of the selection was a general manager of a team who, like the 49ers, are among the favorites to win Super Bowl 59.

Baltimore Ravens GM Eric DeCosta, per baltimoreravens.com, said of the Pearsall pick: "It was a great pick. I give those guys a lot of credit.

"I thought [Pearsall] was a guy that we might get that was a sleeper for us at some point. 

"He really wasn't a hot, hot commodity name. But that was another guy when you watched his game, he's a super impressive player on tape."

Pearsall would have given the Ravens an intriguing young starting trio at the receiving position, Baltimore having spent recent first-round picks on Rashod Bateman (2021) and Zay Flowers (2023).

Instead, Pearsall will compete for targets in a loaded offense that already counts Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey among its pass-catching options. 

Having missed out on Pearsall, the Ravens took Devontez Walker in the fourth round.

The former Florida and Arizona State wideout might have had a better path to consistent targets in year one with Baltimore, but the problem of having almost too many weapons is an excellent one for the 49ers to have. DeCosta's admiration for the Niners' selection may turn to envy if San Francisco figures out a way to get Pearsall producing on a regular basis as a rookie.