NFL

In the COVID season, the Broncos had to start a WR at QB in a game and it went very poorly. Suppose you had to do it for a full season. You have a functional NFL team, you want the team to succeed and you can pick any non-QB in NFL history to quarterback the team. Who is your pick?

Shakira announced her tour dates this morning (wife is a huge fan) and it is glaring that she skipped a lot of cities, has gaps in the schedule, and none of the stops are at NFL stadiums

For example she did not announce an Atlanta or Houston show despite those being large Hispanic populations

Are concerts normally not allowed to announce dates at NFL stadiums ahead of the schedule release? I noticed Mercedes Benz Stadium currently has no concerts announced during the NFL season so I thought this made sense..perhaps she supplements her tour dates after the NFL announces its schedule

earlier today on NFL.com. Notable picks:

1.) QB Caleb Williams - CHI

2.) QB Jayden Daniels - WAS

3.) QB Drake Maye - NE

4.) QB JJ McCarthy - NYG

5.) WR Marvin Harrison, Jr. - LAC

6.) WR Rome Odunze - ARI

9.) WR Malik Nabers - IND

10.) TE Brock Bowers - NYJ

20.) WR Brian Thomas, Jr. - PIT

23.) QB Bo Nix - MIN

24.) WR Xavier Worthy - DAL

28.) WR Adonai Mitchell - BUF

31.) WR Ladd McConkey - SF

32.) WR Ja'Lynn Polk - KC

Top 5 easiest:

1. Falcons

2. Chargers

3. Bears

4. Jets

5. Saints

Top 5 hardest:

1. Steelers

2. Patriots

3. Browns

4. Ravens

5. Vikings

Am I drunk on optimism and overreacting? Fuck yes.

Next best, IMHO, would be Bengals with Chase/Higgins.

Hell, I'd say we have the most potent offense entirely.

Brown

Smith

Goedert

Barkley

We are gonna be good if not great for the next 3-4 years, at least, confirmed. Need some solid defensive draft picks to hit, but this offense just looks like it's gonna be nuts.

When discussing the top wide receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, names like Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers often dominate the conversation. However, one player is flying under the radar who deserves more attention: Ricky Pearsall from Florida. A deep dive into his college production, advanced metrics, and scouting report reveals that Pearsall could be the best-kept secret in this draft class, and arguably a better prospect than more heralded names like Adonai Mitchell and Brian Thomas Jr.

Firstly, let's look at Pearsall's impressive success rates against different coverages:

• Success Rate vs. Man Coverage: 75.8%

• Success Rate vs. Zone Coverage: 82.2%

• Success Rate vs. Press Coverage: 67.7%

Pearsall's success rate vs. man coverage ranks among the best in the class, and his ability to consistently win against zone coverage is elite. Research by Josh Scott and Matt Harmon has shown that success rates against man and zone coverage strongly correlate with NFL success, particularly when considering a receiver's alignment.

Speaking of alignment, Pearsall spent 51.4% of his snaps in the slot, showcasing his versatility. The study by Scott and Harmon found that success rate vs. zone coverage becomes increasingly important for slot receivers, and Pearsall's 82.2% success rate in this area is exceptional. While he projects best as a slot receiver in the NFL, Pearsall has also shown the ability to win on the outside.

In addition to his success rates, Pearsall's college production metrics are strong:

• College Dominator Rating: 26.8%

• College Target Share: 22.8%

• Breakout Age: 21.0

While these numbers may not be as gaudy as some of his peers, they still indicate a player who consistently commanded a significant share of his team's passing offense.

Pearsall's scouting report highlights his strengths as a receiver. He is a great athlete with above-average route-running skills, using his short-area burst and quick feet to create separation. His long speed allows him to challenge defenses vertically and make explosive plays downfield. Pearsall's ball-tracking skills on deep passes are among the best in this year's class, and he has a knack for making highlight-reel catches.

As a crafty route-runner with a high football IQ and full-field awareness, Pearsall consistently finds holes in the defense and creates open targets for his quarterback. His reliable hands and ability to win in traffic will help his game translate to the next level.

However, Pearsall does have some weaknesses. He is more of a build-up speed runner than someone with instant burst, and he has below-average ability to throttle down and explode back to the ball. His flexibility and explosiveness in and out of breaks can be inconsistent, and he has below-average play strength.

Despite these limitations, Pearsall's overall profile suggests that he could be a valuable asset in the modern NFL, particularly as a vertical slot receiver in the mold of Christian Kirk. His long speed, ball skills, and reliability make him a potentially dynamic weapon in the right offensive system.

Compared to other top prospects using my own composite score that weights success rates, college production, and NFL combine stats, Pearsall ranks as my 5th-best receiver in the class, ahead of notable names like Keon Coleman and Ladd McConkey.

Why Pearsall is a Better Prospect than Adonai Mitchell: While Adonai Mitchell has garnered attention for his play at Texas, a closer look at the metrics reveals that Pearsall may be the superior prospect. Pearsall has a higher success rate vs. zone coverage (82.2% vs. 76.4%), indicating that he's more reliable against this type of defense. Additionally, Pearsall's versatility in alignment (51.4% slot snaps vs. Mitchell's 15.5%) suggests that he could be a more valuable asset in the modern NFL, where receivers are often asked to play multiple roles.

Why Pearsall is a Better Prospect than Brian Thomas Jr: Brian Thomas Jr. is another well-regarded prospect, but Pearsall's metrics suggest he might have a higher ceiling. Pearsall has a higher success rate vs. man coverage (75.8% vs. 70.1%), a critical metric for NFL success. While Thomas has a slightly earlier breakout age (20.9 vs. 21.0), Pearsall's overall profile, including his versatility in alignment and success against zone coverage, makes him a more intriguing prospect.

If Ricky Pearsall ends up on a team like the 49ers, you might be looking at a player who is no longer a best-kept secret but a 1st round pick in your fantasy draft. The San Francisco 49ers have a history of maximizing the potential of skilled slot receivers, as evidenced by their success with players like Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme is known for its creativity, pre-snap motion, and ability to generate mismatches, all of which could perfectly suit Pearsall's skill set.

Pearsall's ability to win against zone coverage (82.2% success rate) would be a valuable asset in the 49ers' offense, which often employs concepts designed to create open spaces in the middle of the field. His long speed and ball-tracking skills would also make him a threat on deep crosses and post routes, staples of Shanahan's playbook.

Furthermore, Pearsall's experience as a jet-sweep player would fit seamlessly into the 49ers' wide-back role, made famous by Deebo Samuel. This versatility could lead to increased touches and fantasy production, as the 49ers have shown a willingness to manufacture touches for their most dynamic playmakers.

If Pearsall were to land in San Francisco, he would likely see favorable coverage matchups, as defenses focus on containing the 49ers' established stars like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Brandon Aiyuk. This could lead to increased targets and fantasy production for the rookie receiver.

In this scenario, Pearsall's draft stock would skyrocket, potentially making him a 1st round pick in fantasy drafts. His combination of skills, landing spot, and the 49ers' track record of developing dynamic offensive weapons would make him an enticing prospect for fantasy managers looking to gain an edge on the competition.

Of course, this is all hypothetical, and Pearsall's actual fantasy value will depend on his landing spot, draft capital, and role within his new team's offense. However, if he finds himself in a situation like San Francisco, where his skills are maximized, and his role is clearly defined, Ricky Pearsall could quickly transform from a best-kept secret to a fantasy football darling.

In conclusion, while Ricky Pearsall may not be the first name mentioned in discussions about the top wide receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, a closer examination of his college production, advanced metrics, and scouting report reveals a player with immense potential. His success rates against man and zone coverage, versatility in alignment, and strong overall profile suggest he could be a steal for any team looking for a dynamic playmaker in the passing game. When compared to more heralded prospects like Adonai Mitchell and Brian Thomas Jr, Pearsall's metrics and skill set suggest he might be the superior prospect. Don't sleep on Ricky Pearsall – he might be the best-kept secret in this draft class, and if he lands in the right situation, he could be a fantasy football star in the making.