It's been kind of a tumultuous preseason for the 49ers, but contract and trade talk takes a back seat in terms of importance when real life takes precedence. Ricky Pearsall suffered a gunshot wound during a robbery attempt yesterday, but latest reports are positive.
The team's first-round pick back in April, Pearsall seemed headed for a potentially large role in the offense, with Brandon Aiyuk possibly being traded. But Pearsall was sidelined due to a shoulder injury for much of August, and Aiyuk agreed to terms on a contract extension last week, so Pearsall was looking like maybe the No. 4. He has bigger concerns now.
The good news is that according to his Mom, the bullet missed Pearsall's vital organs, and he is in good spirits. Earlier reports had Pearshall in serious but stable condition after being shot in the chest. It's early and nothing is certain, but it at least sounds promising for him making a full recovery.
I started thinking about Brian Robinson of the Commanders, who was shot during an attempted carjacking two years ago. Robinson (who was shot in the leg) not only made a full recovery, but he was playing in Week 5 that year. But Pearsall was shot in the chest, so not really comparable.
There were seven wide receivers selected in the first round back in April. Here's the current status of each.
1.04. Marvin Harrsion, Arizona. The team's clear No. 1 wideout. Being drafted in the top 15 picks in most fantasy leagues. Some off-field drama involving licensing and just a cameo appearance in the preseason, but nobody doubts he'll have a strong rookie season (as strong as he's being drafted, well..)
1.06. Malik Nabers, N.Y. Giants. Also the clear No. 1 wideout. Lots of variance on his likely performance this year, but he's being drafted as a top-25 player at the position, and that's fair. The Giants have little else in terms of offensive players. If Nabers isn't heavily targeted and probably handling the ball on runs, too, the team is insane.
1.09. Rome Odunze, Chicago. We just moved him ahead of Keenan Allen. Only just. We'll see how that ages. But Odunze is comparably talented to the two guys drafted ahead of him, and his quarterback has looked ready to play in the preseason. Odunze won't be the No. 1 and nobody is saying he should be drafted as a starter right now. But I wish I had him in dynasty.
1.23. Brian Thomas, Jacksonville. Lots of differing opinions on him; he could finish anywhere from No. 1 to No. 3 among Jacksonville's wideouts. Like Odunze, I like him more long-term than this year, but you never know.
1.28. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City. Apparently I like him a little more than some other Index staffers. That's fine. He looked ready to play (albeit with a couple of flaws) in the preseason, and he's definitely a talented guy -- not just a deep threat running fly patterns. We'll see how soon Hollywood Brown is back; presumably before Week 5, or they could have put him on IR, but who knows. Worthy might be better.
1.31. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco. See above. Worth noting that John Lynch said recently that they felt even better about drafting Pearsall after seeing him in (limited) action in practices than when they drafted him. Obviously, his recovery from the shooting is more important than the shoulder issue right now.
1.32. Xavier Legette, Carolina. Legette has battled a couple of injuries this preseason, alas. The good news is when he does get healthy, he should get a chance to prove he's better than holdover Jonathan Mingo, and they might gradually draw up some plays to feature his athleticism versus aging Adam Thielen. Diontae Johnson will be the No. 1, but he's not going to take over games. I don't have much interest in Legette for this year, but I'm okay with having selected him in a rookie draft in May.
--Andy Richardson
