The San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver room is going to look drastically different in 2026. Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk are departing, with Deebo Samuel leaving this past offseason after signing with Washington. The top three wide receivers from 2023 will be in different uniforms.
Surely the 49ers expected one or two to depart, but certainly not all three. The Aiyuk situation is the monkey wrench, as the 49ers believed they had their starting “X” receiver to pair with their first-round draft
choice from two years ago, Ricky Pearsall.
Now, heading into Year 3, Pearsall will be relied on to lead the wide receiver room with the incoming draft class and possible free agent additions. As of today, the receiver room will consist of Pearsall, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and Demarcus Robinson. That’s not good.
Regardless of whether the 49ers select a receiver at pick 27 or not, Pearsall needs to put together a full season. The 49ers are still relying on the former Florida receiver. The flashes on the field are there; however, they are far and few between. Pearsall’s talent makes his situation even more frustrating. His play in 2025 evoked excitement before a PCL injury zapped games from his season.
According to Fantasy Points Data, Pearsall is a top-three separator on the outside in the NFL.
Best separation win rates when lined up on the outside: [2025, min. 200 outside routes]
1. Davante Adams: 23.1%
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba – 20.4%
3. Ricky Pearsall – 19.0%
4. Puka Nacua – 17.5%
5. Zay Flowers – 17.3%
Pearsall is sandwiched between two offensive players of the year candidates. JSN won the award, so Pearsall is in fine company. No matter who the 49ers bring in to play receiver for them in 2026, Pearsall needs to anchor the group. The 49ers most likely won’t break the bank for a free agent, and any draft pick won’t likely start right away.
Year three is Pearsall’s most critical season. The 49ers are counting on him.
