Atlanta Falcons Named Best Draft 'Fit' for Florida WR Ricky Pearsall

Despite upgrading their offense heavily in free agency, the Atlanta Falcons could still add at receiver in a loaded NFL Draft class.

Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a one-handed catch for a first down during the / Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA

With just $6 million in remaining cap space available after another busy free-agent period for the Atlanta Falcons, any other needs will be filled through the upcoming NFL Draft. After spending heavily on upgrading their offense, signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, and several weapons to accompany him, the defense will likely be a major focus in the draft.

However, even if the Falcons go defense-heavy in the draft, starting with the No. 8 overall pick, where they are being predicted to take an edge rusher, that doesn’t mean they won’t take a chance on a playmaker at some point. 

A potential name to watch is Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall, who the Falcons have been named a possible “best fit” for the now-former Gator in a recent article from Bleacher Report.

“Ricky Pearsall clears a lot of bars. He's a solid route-runner with ample speed and agility. Ball skills are what really kick his game up a notch, though. He made some of the wildest highlight catches of any prospect this year, including his viral one-hander versus Charlotte,” Bleacher Report writes. “Not every catch is that spectacular, but he generally shows good ball-tracking and concentration in traffic. Those are great traits to have for someone who will likely play both inside and outside in the NFL.”

Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a one-handed catch for a first down during the / Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun / USA

Despite adding Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud via free agency and acquiring Rondale Moore in the Desmond Ridder trade, the Falcons shouldn’t ignore receivers in this draft. The former Gator may not be one of the bigger names among this year’s group of receivers, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t productive. 

After spending the first three years of his college career at Arizona State, the former three-star recruit out of Tempe, Arizona, he spent his final two seasons in Gainesville, where he compiled 1,626 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine touchdowns on 98 receptions. 

However, this past season, Pearsall made a name for himself. He finished his college career with his best year, totaling 965 yards and four touchdowns on 65 receptions in 12 games. 

That was before he impressed further at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran an official 4.41-second 40-yard-dash with a 42-inch vertical jump while measuring in at 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds. His performance at the Combine has solidified his draft stock as a potential Day 2 pick. 

For the Falcons, Pearsall would not only give them another option at receiver, but if his NFL.com scouting report is anything to go by, he could develop into a starter who could play out wide or in the slot.