De'Zhaun Stribling

De'Zhaun Stribling News

De'Zhaun Stribling Gets "Vet WR Treatment" at Practice

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling continues to get encouraging signs about where he stands with the team. During Sunday's special teams period, David Lombardi noted that Stribling worked individually with offensive assistant/wide receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker instead, the same setup veteran Mike Evans received. Lombardi described it as the "vet WR treatment." It comes just a few days after Stribling caught seven passes for 63 yards in his preseason debut against Tennessee. The 49ers had seen enough by midway through the second quarter, pulling the No. 33 overall pick from the game with nearly eight minutes left in the half. Stribling has also been making plays in camp since returning from some early hamstring tightness. Sunday doesn't guarantee where he'll land in the receiver rotation, but San Francisco continuing to prioritize his offensive work is another positive development for the rookie.

Aug 16, 2026 9:12 AM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Leads 49ers Receivers In Loss

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling led the team in receptions and receiving yards in Thursday's preseason meeting with the Tennessee Titans. Stribling had seven catches for 63 yards on eight targets in the 19-13 loss. Stribling impressed his new home crowd by making catches in traffic and fighting for extra yards. In light of the rash of injuries dealt to the 49ers, including receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Mike Evans (quadriceps), Stribling's performance should boost his fantasy appeal. With Pearsall out for the year and Evans a perennial injury risk, Stribling could see a healthy workload even after San Francisco's recent reunion with Deebo Samuel Jr. Stribling's next opportunity to add to his burgeoning allure will come on August 20 when the 49ers square off against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Aug 14, 2026 2:01 AM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling is the "Best Wide Receiver" on the 49ers

Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated said at training camp on Monday that he thinks San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is the "best wide receiver on the whole team" right now and is the only WR "that you need to fear." Stribling is big and fast and is fearless over the middle of the field. He missed some practice time last week with a minor hamstring issue, but he returned to team drills over the weekend and should be fine moving forward. Cohn doesn't know that veteran wideout and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans (quadriceps) is going to save this offense, so the Niners will likely ask a lot of Stribling in his first year in the NFL, even after the reunion with veteran pass-catcher Deebo Samuel Sr. Most draft pundits thought the 49ers reached when they took Stribling with the first pick in the second round in April, but he has the size and high football IQ to surprise some folks, especially now that Ricky Pearsall (knee) is out for the year. Assuming Stribling stays healthy all year, he should be a top two or three receiver for San Francisco in 2026.

Aug 10, 2026 3:41 PM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Could Have An Extended Role Early On

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) returned to practice on Saturday after missing the last few days with hamstring tightness, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Stribling participated in team drills and made an impact by catching passes on multiple routes for sizeable gains. According to Wagoner, Stribling is picking up San Francisco's offense in a hurry and, if healthy, could have a fairly extensive role early on. He is having a strong training camp, and with Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the season, he will have an opportunity to make an impact early on. The 49ers selected Stribling with the 33rd pick of the 2026 NFL Draft,t and he will compete with Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., George Kittle, and Christian Kirk for targets in a potent 49ers offense. Stribling's fantasy stock continues to rise and is currently ranked as WR59 in the latest RotoBaller rankings.

Aug 8, 2026 3:59 PM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Returns to 11-on-11 Work

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) returned to 11-on-11 work Saturday after dealing with hamstring tightness, according to Noah Furtado. The rookie had been unavailable for team work earlier this week, so getting back into full-speed reps is a good step after the 49ers took a cautious approach with the issue. Stribling had made a strong impression before the setback, with Brock Purdy praising his understanding of route depths, alignments, and details while calling him reliable. San Francisco selected the 6-foot-2, 207-pound receiver 33rd overall in April after he posted 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns at Ole Miss last season. With Ricky Pearsall out for the year and several other receivers dealing with injuries during camp, Stribling has a real opportunity to earn early playing time if he can stay on the field.

Aug 8, 2026 10:41 AM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling in Uniform for Thursday's Practice

San Francisco 49ers second-round rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) is in uniform for the team's training camp practice on Thursday, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The 49ers are once again already one of the most banged-up teams in the NFL early in training camp, with receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) already ruled out for the 2026 season. In addition, Mike Evans (quadriceps) and Christian Kirk (calf) are nursing injuries, which will give Stribling a nice opportunity to work with the first-team offense if he's allowed to do team drills on Thursday. The 23-year-old Ole Miss product has missed practices recently with a tight hamstring, but he appears to be improving and should be ready for preseason action. What he lacks in physical ability, Stribling makes up for with a high football IQ, and he figures to start in three-wide sets in his first NFL season now that Pearsall is done for the year. Stribling will probably still go undrafted in 12-team fantasy leagues, but he's becoming a more interesting late-round sleeper in single-year formats in 2026.

Aug 6, 2026 9:21 AM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Remains Sidelined With Hamstring Tightness

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) remains day-to-day with hamstring tightness and did not practice Monday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The rookie also sat out Saturday's session, but the injury has been described as tightness rather than a strain. Stribling had opened camp well before the absence, catching several passes during team drills and earning praise from Brock Purdy for his route details and reliability. San Francisco selected him 33rd overall in April after he finished his lone season at Ole Miss with 55 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns. The 49ers have not announced when Stribling will return, so his status will remain worth checking when the team practices again. A short absence should not dramatically alter his outlook, but every missed rep matters for a rookie trying to establish his place in the receiving rotation. He remains more of a dynasty prospect than a dependable redraft option at this stage.

Aug 3, 2026 10:33 AM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Sits With Hamstring Tightness

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) did not practice Saturday after experiencing tightness, according to David Lombardi. Lombardi noted that the issue is not a strain and that the team is being cautious. The timing interrupts an encouraging start to camp for the 33rd overall pick. Stribling caught multiple passes during each of the first two practices, and Brock Purdy praised his route details and reliability after Day 2. The 23-year-old finished his final college season at Ole Miss with 55 receptions for 811 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. There is no reported timetable for his return, so fantasy managers should avoid reading too much into a precautionary absence. Still, his participation bears watching as the rookie tries to maintain the early momentum he built in San Francisco's receiver rotation.

Aug 1, 2026 10:15 AM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Continues to Impress as Starting Role is in Reach

The Athletic's Vic Tafur reports rookie wideout De'Zhaun Stribling continues to check off nice practices with a starting receiver role within reach. Stribling has been turning heads at the start of training camp and generating buzz that will start to increase his ADP in fantasy football. With recent news of Ricky Pearsall (knee) likely heading into season-ending surgery on his knee, it has opened the door for Stribling to be a fantasy-relevant receiver in Year 1. However, the team decided to bring back Deebo Samuel Sr. on a one-year deal on Thursday. It has yet to be seen if adding Samuel was a move to add depth to the roster or to play a contributing role this season. Stribling was the 33rd overall pick and the 49ers' first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was widely considered a big-bodied development receiver coming out of Ole Miss and was seen as a reach to some in the football community. Nonetheless, Stribling has a chance to be a starting receiver in a Kyle Shanahan offense, which means he will be worth keeping tabs on as training camp progresses.

Jul 31, 2026 12:47 PM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Could be a Starter for Niners in Rookie Season

San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is looking at an increased opportunity early on with former first-rounder Ricky Pearsall (knee) currently out in training camp due to knee swelling, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Stribling, who many considered a reach for San Fran with the first pick of the second round in April, had back-to-back 800-yard receiving seasons with six touchdowns apiece in his final two collegiate seasons with Oklahoma State and Ole Miss. The 23-year-old doesn't jump off the page with his physical skills, but he has displayed high-end leadership and work ethic, and if Pearsall isn't ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, Stribling figures to start in three-wide sets alongside veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. Stribling's speed sets him apart from the other wideouts in San Fran, and Pearsall's continued injury issues are quickly making him a late-round sleeper in upcoming fantasy drafts. RotoBaller currently has Stribling ranked as the No. 78 fantasy WR, but his ADP will continue to rise for however long Pearsall is sidelined.

Jul 29, 2026 9:57 AM EST

49ers Quarterback Praises Rookie Receiver De'Zhaun Stribling

San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has quickly impressed quarterback Brock Purdy in training camp, according to Matt Lively of CBS Sports. Purdy said Stribling has paid close attention to the details of his routes and has "done a good job of studying" and "being on top of it." The 49ers' signal-caller went on to say that Stribling has proven that "he's reliable," while adding that it's also Day 2 of camp. Many draft pundits thought the Niners reached quite a bit for Stribling with the first overall pick of the second round in this year's NFL draft, but so far, he has backed it up. The 49ers have future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and Ricky Pearsall in their receiver room as well, so Stribling still has a lot to prove. But those who took a chance on Stribling in dynasty/keeper leagues have to be happy with the early returns this summer. He mostly stands out for his speed on offense, but it might take an injury for Stribling to become fantasy relevant in standard 12-team leagues in 2026. RotoBaller currently has the Ole Miss product ranked as the No. 78 fantasy WR for the upcoming season.

Jul 27, 2026 4:21 PM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Better Suited for Dynasty Rebuilders

San Francisco 49ers rookie second-round wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is easier to carry on a rebuilding dynasty roster than one trying to win immediately. The 49ers selected him 33rd overall after he caught 55 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns during his final season at Ole Miss. He also brings an appealing physical profile at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds with 4.36 speed. Finding the ball as a rookie may be the problem. Mike Evans has one receiver spot secured, while Stribling is competing with Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing for the other meaningful snaps. George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey will take their share of the passing game as well. Stribling flashed during the offseason program, and his blocking gives him another way to get on the field, but the weekly volume could be uneven. RotoBaller ranks him WR58 in dynasty. Contenders looking for dependable production may not have room to wait. Rebuilders can be more patient with the second-round pick while his role develops.

Jul 26, 2026 10:01 AM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling a Dynasty Stash, Not a Redraft Sleeper

The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling is easy to like in dynasty and much harder to trust for 2026. San Francisco used the 33rd pick on him after five college seasons, 216 catches, 2,964 yards, and 23 touchdowns. Then there is the athletic piece: 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, and 4.36 speed. The problem is getting him the ball right away. Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk are already in the receiver room, while George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey remain major parts of the passing game. Stribling could eventually push Kirk for snaps, and his blocking gives him a chance to handle some of the dirty work Jauan Jennings used to do. That still may not turn into useful weekly volume as a rookie. RotoBaller has him 16th in its latest one-quarterback rookie rankings and WR75 for redraft. A mid-second rookie pick is fine. In seasonal leagues, he is a late watch-list name unless camp gives us a much clearer role.

Jul 13, 2026 5:09 AM EST

De'Zhaun Stribling Well-Positioned for an Early Impact?

The San Francisco 49ers' selection of Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the first pick of the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft was viewed by many as one of the bigger reaches of the entire draft, but landing with one of the league's most respected combinations of quarterback and playcaller in Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan, Stribling is well-positioned to make an early impact. With Shanahan operating heavily out of 12 and 21-personnel sets, his wideouts in two-receiver formations have naturally seen an uptick in efficiency. While one of those spots is all but guaranteed to go to free agent acquisition Mike Evans, Stribling needs to beat out only Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk for something close to an every-down role. Stribling's size and tenacity as a blocker make him an obvious candidate to inherit Jauan Jennings' vacated role, and he could prove to be one of the better values in an underwhelming 2026 draft class. As RotoBaller's dynasty WR57, he is a low-cost target in rookie drafts or startups who could pay immediate dividends, particularly if All-Pro tight end George Kittle requires an extended ramp-up period to begin the year.

Jun 17, 2026 6:01 AM EST

49ers See Something Special in De'Zhaun Stribling

The San Francisco 49ers give a handful of draft prospects "gold helmet" designations for their exemplary standing in several areas, including leadership and football intelligence. Former Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who the team selected at 33rd overall at the top of the second round, is considered one of the "gold helmet" prospects, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "The passion the guy has, the work ethic, the toughness, the durability. He checks all those boxes at a high level," vice president of player personnel Tariq Ahmad said. The 23-year-old Stribling also scored the highest ever in a personality test called the Judgment Index, which seeks to shed light on a player's decision-making skills and value. Stribling was a surprise pick at that spot early in the second round, as he never had over 882 receiving yards or six touchdowns in his five collegiate seasons at Washington State, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss. At best, Stribling will be an option as San Fran's WR3 in his rookie season in 2026 behind Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall. He won't be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues in 2026, but his size (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) and speed (4.36-second 40-yard dash) give him upside in the long term if his intangibles set him apart.

May 6, 2026 9:49 AM EST

49ers Take De'Zhaun Stribling to Kick Off Second Round

The San Francisco 49ers selected Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the 33rd overall pick at the top of Round 2 in the 2026 NFL draft on Friday night. Stribling has the potential to be a true WR1 down the road in San Francisco, and he's an excellent jump-ball artist down the field at 6-foot-2, 202 pounds. The Niners entered the offseason with receiver being an area of need with Brandon Aiyuk's (knee) time with the organization coming to an end, and the team not expected to re-sign Jauan Jennings. They signed future Hall of Famer Mike Evans in free agency and have now added Stribling through the draft. Stribling played two years each in college at Washington State and Oklahoma State before finishing off with Ole Miss in 2025, where he caught 55 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games played. Stribling could be a dynasty sleeper while working with quarterback Brock Purdy, mainly because of his elite vertical burst down the field. The selection of Stribling is bad news for the long-term value of Ricky Pearsall, a former first-rounder.

Apr 24, 2026 3:19 PM EST