De'Zhaun Stribling is making a strong early push for playing time with the San Francisco 49ers, and Field Yates believes the rookie has the kind of background that can help him matter right away.
The 49ers took Stribling with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft after he spent five college seasons at Washington State, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss. Over that stretch, he put up 216 receptions for 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns. His final year at Ole Miss was his most productive, as he finished with 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns.
That college résumé is part of why Stribling has drawn attention in camp. After missing a little time with hamstring tightness, he returned to full-team work and then showed up again Monday by hauling in a 50-yard touchdown from Brock Purdy.
On Tuesday, NFL on ESPN posted a clip on X, formerly Twitter, with Yates breaking down why Stribling could be ready to help sooner rather than later.
“Here's what I like about De'Zhaun Stribling. This was a guy who for much of last season fit into the classic height, weight, and speed mold, but he turned it on for Ole Miss down the stretch.
You were covering some of those playoff games where he was one of the best players on the field in games filled with future NFL prospects. Played five years of college football, so he is an experienced guy who should understand the nuances of the NFL offenses a little bit better than your typical rookie.”
Yates had Stribling ranked No. 78 overall among his 2026 draft prospects, but the 49ers grabbed him much earlier at No. 33. San Francisco’s receiver group includes Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and the return of Deebo Samuel, but injuries at the position have opened the door for Stribling to get more work.
He doesn’t have to be the centerpiece of the passing game, but his experience, athletic traits, and strong camp showing have put him in position to become a useful complementary piece in his first NFL season.
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