Attack The 2024 Rookie Draft: 2.05

In this series for the Dynasty Nerds, the staff will take a rookie draft pick-by-pick and evaluate who they would select. Each pick will take into account other players on the board, how the team build can affect the pick and possibly change the pick, and also the trade value of the pick. 

We are operating under the assumption that the league is a SuperFlex league with a tight-end premium scoring format. 

The 2.05 Pick

With my first pick in this draft series, I chose to go with the insulated value play of a first-round NFL QB. I may have thrown a curve ball by going with J.J. McCarthy over some of his more heralded counterparts. But, that aside, I have chosen to stick with my guns and hit yet another safe play in attacking the 2024 NFL draft, a first-round WR. The 31st pick of the draft, Ricky Pearsall.

Some in the dynasty community have poo-pooed the massive draft capital placed on the former Florida Gator star by the 49ers. Sure, the situation is currently somewhat crowded. Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk hold down the top WR spots on the team, and George Kittle brings a massive receiving threat to the TE position. But we aren’t playing redraft here now, are we?

When we examine the 49ers’ situation more closely, we see a team on the verge of a massive overhaul. Aiyuk and Kittle are both in the last years of their current deals. Deebo Samuel is creeping closer to the 30-year-old precipice and is having trouble staying healthy. I trust that Kyle Shanahan and company have a bonafide plan for the first-round pick. 

Welcome home, @S1ickSzn!#49ersDraft x #FTTB pic.twitter.com/3l8PzjkgPl

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 26, 2024

Pearsall brings a tantalizing skill set to the 49ers and their uber-creative head coach. He is an absolute threat with the ball in his hands. My scouting report has Pearsall bringing a blend of the games of the top two San Francisco pass catchers. He can certainly fill in for a Deebo Samuel role where he is engineered touches in the running and short passing game. He can also run deep routes down the field and employed a fairly well-rounded route tree during his time in the college ranks. 

Who Else Should You Consider?

At this point in the draft, there are a number of different options to choose from. It is essentially a pick-your-poison area of the draft. In particular, Keon Coleman and Adonia Mitchell were strong considerations. All three players are within the same range of the draft. For me, Pearsall separates himself by virtue of his first-round draft pedigree and his attachment to Shanahan. I trust the coach to put his players in the best situation to succeed. 

Other positions that were in consideration were the RB and TE spots. At this point, there were zero quarterbacks worth considering over Pearsall. However, I did give serious consideration to MarShawn Lloyd at this pick. I believe he has a realistic chance to unseat Josh Jacobs as soon as next season if Jacobs struggles like he did last year. I also considered selecting Ben Sinnott as the second TE off the board. He found himself in an excellent position to grow with the Commanders, especially with his draft connection to his QB Jayden Daniels. 

Should You Trade The 2.05?

At this point in the draft, you should seriously consider the possibility of trading back a couple of picks. Given that I selected a WR, you could move back a few picks and possibly pick up Coleman, Mitchell, or the criminally underrated Ja’Lynn Polk. Any one of these players would be a fine option, and you could potentially add a 3rd round pick or a future pick by moving back just a couple of places.  

Certain formats make this trade much more desirable than others, particularly best-ball leagues. In that format, I would gladly move back a full round to pick up a future second-round pick while still netting a third-rounder this year. Looking at recent ADP, you can get a player like Luke McCaffrey or Jermaine Burton, which would be a fine option. 

The Final Word

In wrapping this article up, I am ecstatic to land a first-round pick WR in the middle of the second. The 2024 draft is super deep at both the QB and WR positions. The fact that you have six QBs that went in the first 12 picks of the NFL draft pushes down excellent talent in your SuperFlex drafts. Pearsall combines both excellent draft capital and a fantastic landing spot. 

Some will look at San Francisco and think it is a bad spot. However, teams do not spend a first-round pick on a player for whom they do not have significant plans. There is still time this offseason for the 49ers to trade one of their two big WRs. Even if they don’t keep in mind this is dynasty. Aiyuk and Kittle are both entering the final years of their contract. One or both could be gone from the team next season. Deebo could also find his way out of town via trade. If you have to wait a season, so be it. In that case, Ricky Pearsall would be an elite stash option. After all, who wouldn’t want a player with this skill set? 

F*ck It, 6+ Mins of SLICK RICK highlights👀🔥
RICKY PEARSALL (@S1ickSzn) is a DAWG.

🎥: YT – IanDunallmighty| #49ers #NFL pic.twitter.com/r9mbv6qkD7

— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) April 30, 2024

Thank you for reading this article! Please be sure to join the #Nerdherd, so you don’t miss out on any of the amazing things we have to offer @Dynastynerds.com. Use my promo code DynastyHolliday for a 15% off discount. You will get rankings, extra podcasts, and access to our rookie film room. For just a couple more bucks, you can get access to our revolutionary DynastyGM tool. So much for so little; why miss out on all the fun? Also, you absolutely must check out our new mock draft tool. Find it in your Apple & Android app stores. Follow me @ReflipeWThenuz for more dynasty content and other musings.