Predicting 49ers' Breakout Players at 2024 OTAs, Minicamp

A massive opportunity awaits the young wide receivers on the San Francisco 49ers roster.

Brandon Aiyuk is not participating in OTAs because of his contract negotiations, per ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner.

The 49ers started preparing for life without Aiyuk with the first-round selection of Ricky Pearsall in the 2024 NFL draft.

Pearsall and others expected to play smaller roles in 2024 have the chance to impress the coaching staff with more reps in OTAs and minicamp.

Aiyuk's absence could lead to a spirited battle in May and June that could bleed into training camp when roster spots will be on the line.

Ricky Pearsall

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BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 11: Ricky Pearsall #1 of the Florida Gators runs with the ball against the LSU Tigers during a game at Tiger Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Pearsall has to be thrilled with the situation he was drafted into right now.

The Florida product has the chance to operate within the first team offense with Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings not present at OTAs.

Pearsall was drafted to be the future of the franchise, not the present, but he has the early chance to impress the coaching staff with his abilities.

At minimum, Pearsall will be the No. 4 wide receiver on the 49ers depth chart, but if impresses enough, the team may feel more comfortable with trading one of their stars if contract negotiations break down.

Anything can happen between now and September, but all Pearsall can control is how well he performs in his reps before training camp.

Jacob Cowing

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TEMPE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Jacob Cowing #2 of the Arizona Wildcats runs with the football after a reception against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of the NCAAF game at Mountain America Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Fourth-round pick Jacob Cowing can use the opportunity at OTAs and minicamp to show the coaching staff he belongs on the roster.

Cowing projects to be beneath Pearsall on the first depth chart in training camp. That would put him against Ronnie Bell, Chris Conley and a few others for the No. 5 wide receiver spot, which may be one of the final positions on the 53-man roster.

Cowing's collegiate career at UTEP and Arizona flew under the radar because of the schools he attended.

While few people were paying attention, Cowing produced consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns in 2021 and 2022 and an 848-yard season in 2023.

Cowing recorded 27 touchdowns over the last three seasons, and if his skill translates to the NFL, he has the potential to enter the regular season on the same level as Pearsall.

Ronnie Bell

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Ronnie Bell #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a touchdown reception in the second quarter during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Ronnie Bell finds himself in a tough spot as practices begin to ramp up.

The selections of Pearsall and Cowing could take Bell out of the 49ers' roster plans if they succeed this spring and summer.

Bell, a 2023 seventh-round pick, only had six receptions on 13 targets for 68 yards in his rookie campaign.

The elevated opportunities for wide receivers in Aiyuk's absence could help Bell get himself in front of the coaches more.

Any opportunity should help Bell in his battle to make the 53-man roster. He could also put in some good performances for other teams to look at if Pearsall and Cowing outperform him in the upcoming practices.