Bill Barnwell Turns Heads with 49ers Projection
ESPN's latest rankings spotlight San Francisco's revamped arsenal, but aging stars and a grueling injury history could derail the franchise's quest for a top-five offensive finish.
Video Transcript
Steph, I fear there is never going to be a drafted 49er that is going to get a second contract for as long as John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are in charge.
You know what?
I mean, that's valid, that's valid, for, for other reasons, obviously.
For other reasons.
Yeah.
Look, and then here's what you do.
Keep drafting wide receivers.
Yeah.
I, I, like, I- Well, there you go look, this isn't a skill issue, and I think that's what makes this so frustrating with Ricky Pearsall.
If the man was trash and injured, then I could totally see being done with him.
The problem is, is that he's actually really good, and I was telling Rob last week, I believe with a strong season, that he can push himself into the highest of tiers for number two wide receivers in the NFL, because that's what I do believe that he is in this league.
Can't be a one.
Can't for- can't force him to continue to win against man coverage when all the emphasis is on him.
I don't think that's fair to his skill set, but as a number two, he is, and he can be, as good as anyone who is a number two in the NFL.
That's my hot take when it comes to that.
But the San Francisco 49ers cannot sign him to an extension to be a number two guy.
And as long as you can keep drafting wide receivers, and he has a fifth-year option, by the way.
Remember, he, he was drafted in the first round, so the 49ers have that to play with as well.
I just don't see the 49ers after the Deebo Samuel and that other guy debacle, that they'll see themselves paying wide receivers when they feel like they can keep drafting them, and I don't think necessarily that that is a bad thing.
Think about it.
Miami paid Jaylen Waddle, they moved on, you know, because it's just, it's not working.
You don't have a quarterback, you don't have a offense, what's the point?
Wide receivers you can keep finding, but when you're building your offense all together, wide receivers don't make quarterbacks.
You know, pass rushers are, are, are very important.
Offensive line is very important.
Quarterback's very important.
Wide receivers, every single year you can keep drafting them because there's a bunch of them out there that can always contribute.
So unfortunately for Ricky Pearsall, this isn't a skill issue, it's the 49ers have put their hand on the oven a little too many times and they got burned, and they're not gonna pay a wide receiver anymore, and you just keep drafting wide receivers, Steph.
But yes, Ricky Pearsall does need to bounce back this season.
He needs to put together 13 of 14 games, and that is where we can evaluate him from there.
Without 13, 14 games, it is really going to be hard to figure out where he stands, not only with the 49ers, but in the league, Steph.
