4 high-upside wide receiver prospects Commanders could steal in 2024

Commanders could draft Ricky Pearsall

Ricky Pearsall from the University of Florida could become an instant contributor - and even a team's starting slot receiver - from Day 1 of his NFL career. At 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds, he doesn't exactly scare opposing defenders when he lines up against them. But with the way he shifts so subtly in his routes, it's not long before the wideout ends up being given the respect he deserves.

Pearsall's route running is very mature for someone his age. If the prospect can continue to leverage his body with quick-twitch speed, this could pay dividends immediately in his career. The wideout looks as if he has already been playing in the NFL when you watch him.

His hands are also stellar. He came down with a one-hander last year that was arguably the most impressive reception anywhere in college football. If he can continue to improve on the different aspects of his game, Pearsall could not only be a steal for the Washington Commanders but could find himself as one of the steals of the entire 2024 NFL Draft for good measure.

In many other draft classes, Pearsall would be labeled a top-five receiver instead of a top-10 prospect. Whichever way one looks at it, he's one of the most NFL-ready wideouts in the class.

He is just the type of receiver the Commanders could benefit from bringing along. With Pearsall's ability to create easy separation, if acquired alongside Jayden Daniels and his dynamism, it is a duo that could grow together and strike fear into NFC East defensive coordinators for years to come.

Pearsall ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. If the Commanders stay put, they could potentially get him at pick No. 40 after taking a quarterback at No. 2 and an offensive tackle at No. 36.