NFL Draft: 49ers bypass perceived needs for WR Pearsall

SANTA CLARA — In selecting Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday night at No. 31 overall, the 49ers created a further level of intrigue as to the status of incumbents Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. In the meantime, they bypassed players at perceived positions of need — namely edge rushers, defensive tackles, cornerbacks and offensive tackles. Coach Kyle Shanahan said things aren't always as they seem, and saw Pearsall as a fit to the wide receiver corps even with Aiyuk and Samuel still around. Pearsall, Shanahan believes, has the versatility to play outside or in the slot, plays with the physicality the 49ers demand from their wide receivers and can