The talk of 49ers training camp became the talk of the early preseason after Stribling turned 15 routes into 8 targets, 7 receptions and 63 yards in his first preseason game. Stribling was used across the formation and showed he was not only capable on short throws, but on long ones as well. Now you know why Fantasy managers are checking him out in drafts as soon as Round 9 (and late Round 1 in rookie-only drafts). A stud receiver at Ole Miss in 2025, Stribling is well-built with good acceleration, good straight-line speed and big, reliable hands. He's also a good blocker, which is a big reason why the Niners likely drafted him. Yes, the 49ers have a bunch of experienced pass-catchers in Mike Evans, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Christian Kirk, but they're all at least five years older than Stribling with Evans and Kittle at least eight years older. There's room for Stribling to make a decent impact even if everyone in the Niners offense stays healthy, and a huge impact if the older guys miss time with injuries.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Paces pass catchers in loss
Rotowire
Stribling brought in seven of eight targets for 63 yards in the 49ers' 19-13 preseason loss to the Titans on Thursday.
The 2026 second-round pick led the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards while checking in second in targets to Jordan Watkins. Stribling finished his college career with back-to-back 800-yard seasons, and Ricky Pearsall's season-ending knee injury opens up plenty of opportunity for the rookie to make a significant first-year impact. Stribling is also currently benefiting from Christian Kirk's lingering calf injury, and the former's performance in his NFL debut certainly helps buttress his case for consistent opportunity right from the onset of his first season.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Back in team drills Saturday
Rotowire
Stribling (hamstring) participated in 11-on-11 team drills during Saturday's training camp practice, Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
It's an encouraging sign for the rookie second-rounder, whose practice reps have been limited this past week while he's been recovering from a hamstring injury. With Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the 2026 season, Stribling will have the opportunity to earn a consistent role for himself in the 49ers' offense, even with veterans Mike Evans (quad), Deebo Samuel and Christian Kirk (calf) ahead of him on the wide receiver depth chart. The absences of both Evans and Kirk give Stribling the chance to showcase his skills with the first-team offense alongside Samuel.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: In uniform Thursday
Rotowire
Stribling (hamstring) is in uniform for Thursday's practice, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Stribling had yet to practice in the month of August due to hamstring tightness, but the rookie second-round pick is poised to practice in at least some capacity Thursday. San Francisco's wide receiver room is in flux at the moment, as Mike Evans (quadriceps) and Christian Kirk (calf) have been sidelined at practice, Ricky Pearsall (knee) recently underwent season-ending surgery and Deebo Samuel signed with the 49ers on July 30.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Set for expanded role sans Pearsall
Rotowire
Stribling will have the opportunity to earn an expanded role in the 49ers' offense after Ricky Pearsall (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Pearsall was held out of training camp practices earlier this week due to a PCL injury in his right knee, which has been deemed severe enough for the third-year wideout to undergo season-ending surgery. The Niners signed veteran Deebo Samuel to a one-year contract Friday, but both Stribling and Demarcus Robinson will have an opportunity to compete for an expanded role in the offense alongside Mike Evans and Christian Kirk (calf). Stribling was a second-round selection of the 49ers in the 2026 NFL Draft following his final college season at Ole Miss, when he logged 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns across 15 games.
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49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling: Picked by 49ers
Rotowire
The 49ers selected Stribling in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 33rd overall.
The 49ers made Stribling the first selection of the second round, which is considerably higher than where Stribling was projected before the draft. Perhaps it was an unexpected selection, but it's easily justifiable given Stribling's quality production at Washington State, Oklahoma State and, most recently, Mississippi. At 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, Stribling has the build to hold up on the boundary, and his 4.36-second 40 at the combine showed he has the wheels to threaten downfield. The 49ers feature Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall as their projected starters, and Jauan Jennings remains a free agent, but if Stribling sees snaps there's reason to believe he can capitalize.
