The 49ers lost their preseason opener 19-13 to the Tennessee Titans on Thursday at Levi’s Stadium, but De’Zhaun Stribling gave San Francisco something far more encouraging than a final score line.
The wide receiver, the 49ers’ top draft pick, wasted no time making his presence felt. He played only through San Francisco’s first three offensive series, yet still managed to look like the most dangerous player on the field for the home offense against Tennessee’s top defense. Stribling was physical, won contested catches, and showed he can damage a defense in more than one area of the field.
His final line was strong: seven catches for 63 yards on eight targets. Strip away the pop pass he caught in the first quarter that cost him five yards, and the numbers look even better - six receptions on seven targets for 68 yards. The only real mistake came on a tight-window throw from Kurtis Rourke, when the quarterback placed the ball a little behind him to avoid an oncoming linebacker and Stribling couldn’t secure it.
That one drop aside, he was sharp throughout the night.
There had been plenty of second-guessing when the 49ers took Stribling No. 33 overall after trading back twice in the first round and passing on wide receivers many viewed as better prospects. Even the source here admits there was handwringing, “including from this author.”
Now, after what he’s shown in camp and in Thursday’s preseason game, Stribling looks like he may have been the right call after all. The outing put him in a strong spot to win a starting job and carve out a major role in the 49ers’ passing game as a rookie.
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49ers Preseason Opener Put Two Early Depth Concerns In Focus
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For San Francisco, the most useful part of the night may have been seeing where the thin spots show up when the rotations get deeper and the pace quickens. The play-by-play told a story of a team still sorting out its second unit on both sides of the ball, and the kind of early preseason test that can clarify which positions need the most attention before the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]