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De'zhaun Stribling #1 of the Ole Miss Rebels makes a catch during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl.

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he San Francisco 49ers are ready to go for 2026. Returning to the playoffs last year after a one year absence, the 49ers failed to reach their goal of winning the Super Bowl, losing in the NFC divisional playoffs. Entering the offseason hungry to get back into contention, the 49ers signed several big name players to fill the void at multiple positions. And entering the draft, the 49ers needed to find guys who can turn into key contributors and keep the team’s Super Bowl window wide open.

But the 49ers draft strategy divided multiple people, with the team selecting players that were not talked about much. Starting the draft off by picking Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling with the first pick of the second round, some viewed the pick as a reach. But, as it turns out, the 49ers chose Stribling at the right time. Multiple NFL coaches and organizations were high on Stribling and if the 49ers waited, they may have missed out.

NFL Coaches Loved Stribling

Stribling, Ole Miss’ touchdown receptions leader in 2025, was not a big name coming into the draft and when the 49ers drafted him, many were surprised he was picked over other big names such as Chris Brazzell II or Zachariah Branch among others. But according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the 49ers may have taken Stribling at the right time, with other NFL coaches reportedly eyeing the 6-foot-2 pass catcher.

“When fans have been looking at mocks for two months, and their team picks someone perceived as a reach, it normally drives them nuts,” Breer wrote. “I’d just say this on Stribling—some really good offensive coaches really liked him, more than the public knows. We’ll see how it plays out.”

Stribling’s selection makes sense when you consider how the 49ers have approached this offseason. Signing future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, a 6-foot-5 deep threat, the 49ers have gotten bigger and more physical at wide receiver to make things easier for quarterback, Brock Purdy. If Stribling ends up being what the 49ers envisioned, the 49ers pass catchers will be hard to defend.

What Stribling Brings

Stribling is the definition of a multi-faceted wide receiver. While an elite pass catcher, finishing his lone season at Ole Miss with 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns, Stribling is very fast– running a 4.36 40– and a strong blocker, playing a key role in Ole Miss’ run game. For the 49ers, strong blocking from wide receivers is something they struggled with in 2025. If they can improve in that category, it will open up the running game a lot more.

Stribling may not be a day one starter given the 49ers’ crowded wide receiver room, but if he can use his rookie year to develop, watch out for him to be a star in the NFL in no time and make a name for himself within the 49ers’ organization.