Why Riddick believes 49ers rookie receivers could replace Deebo originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers possess arguably the most potent group of offensive skill position players in the NFL, but that hasn’t stopped San Francisco from adding a pair of wide receivers in the 2024 draft.
But could these selections have been made in preparation for a future that does not include one of the 49ers wide receiver duo by Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk? ESPN’s Louis Riddick certainly believes so.
During a segment on “NFL Live,” Riddick explained that San Francisco’s decision to select Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall 31st overall was made with a long-term perspective in mind by the 49ers’ brain trust.
“I think Ricky Pearsall is a three-position player, he really is a four-position player,” Riddick explained. “He can play both outfield positions, he can play the slot, he can line up in the backfield and run routes from there.
“You have to think that [49ers general manager] John Lynch was thinking about the future. [Head coach] Kyle Shanahan was thinking about the future. We have to have a guy who can fill those multiple positions.”
Pearsall isn’t the only San Francisco rookie who has caught Riddick’s attention, as fourth-round selection Jacob Cowing has received immense praise from the former NFL executive.
“They [49ers] drafted another guy in the fourth round, Jacob Cowing, who nobody is talking about right now, but in Arizona, this guy is just lightning in a bottle,” Riddick detailed. “He’s another guy who can work the interior of the field with incredible speed, great separation, great hands, run after the catch.
“To me it looks like – look, if they’re preparing for the eventual exodus of one of these guys, to me it looks like they’re preparing for the eventual exodus of Deebo Samuel. guy who can beat the field one on one. That’s my reading, we’ll see what happens. (Web Zone h/t 49ers)
Samuel is among the most important players on the 49ers roster, but recently he has been the target of rampant speculation about its future In San Francisco.
While Pearsall and Cowing’s upside is certainly appealing, it would be a huge gamble if the 49ers attempted to replace the 2021 First-Team All-Pro receiver given the incredibly unique skill set that Samuel possesses.
Whether Pearsall or Cowing will follow in Samuel’s footsteps remains to be seen, but for now San Francisco enters the 2024 season with an embarrassment of riches at the receiver position, which will certainly endear it to quarterback Brock Purdy.
