Mike Evans was always going to command attention as the 49ers’ big free-agent addition, and nobody should expect him to be used like a decoy. He’s going to matter in this offense. The question is whether he’ll be around enough to top the receiving chart.
At 33, and with most of training camp already missed, Evans comes with a built-in availability concern. He may be the most gifted wideout on the roster, but the expectation here is that he’ll miss a few games and won’t be the most dependable option over the full season.
That opens the door for rookie De’Zhaun Stribling, who appears to have won over Kyle Shanahan in a hurry. The preseason made that much clear. Shanahan seems to love him, and the usage Stribling got before the games started counting suggests he’s headed for a much bigger role than most people anticipated.
Maybe even bigger than I anticipated.
If Evans is sidelined, Stribling’s path gets even cleaner. He was drafted to help create explosive plays, and that kind of role can turn into real production fast. Yards, catches, touchdowns - any of those categories could be enough for him to finish first on the team.
And if that happens, it won’t just validate the pick. It would also give the 49ers a chance to look smart for once on a Day 2 skill-position decision, which is a point of emphasis in its own right.
There are still a couple of things that have to break right for Stribling to get there. Evans’ availability is one. The other is whether Deebo Samuel becomes the primary target.
Shanahan clearly trusts Samuel, so that possibility is very real if Evans is out. But if Stribling flashes the way the 49ers seem to believe he can, the offense may have no choice but to keep feeding him. They need to find out what they have, and whether he can handle the load.
If Evans is inactive, Stribling could slide directly into that role. That would also make for a strange offseason footnote if the 49ers eventually decide to cut Evans.
A few months ago, it would have sounded wild to suggest Stribling had a legitimate shot to lead this team in receiving. Now it doesn’t feel so far-fetched at all.
In Other News...
Rams Face An Early Melbourne Test They Really Didnt Need
Nick Bosa was back with the 49ers in Melbourne this week, a notable sign that San Franciscos star pass rusher is on track for the regular-season opener against the Rams. Bosa recently got through his first practice since tearing his ACL and has been cleared to play in Week 1, giving the 49ers a major boost as they settle in for an unusual trip halfway around the world.
Bosa also had a few thoughts about the logistics facing Los Angeles, noting the Rams are set to arrive in Melbourne just one day before kickoff. It is the kind of travel wrinkle that can matter in a season opener, especially when both teams are trying to adjust quickly to a new setting, and it adds another layer to a matchup already carrying plenty of early-season intrigue. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Suddenly Have One Receiver Question They Can't Ignore
The 49ers receiver room has quickly become one of the more uneasy parts of their offseason picture, with injuries to Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk creating real questions about how much reliable depth they can count on heading toward the 2026 season. For a team that has long leaned on finding the right mix at wideout, the concern is not just about talent, but about having enough healthy options to keep the passing game stable if the usual names are limited.
Keon Coleman has naturally surfaced in that conversation, since the Bills wideout has not yet fully locked himself into a major role in Buffalo and would fit the profile of a player San Francisco could try to pry loose. A trade is only speculation at this point, but it is the kind of idea that makes sense for a 49ers roster trying to patch a thin spot before it turns into a bigger problem. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Land In Melbourne With Roster Questions Still Looming
The 49ers touched down in Melbourne ahead of their Week 1 meeting with the Rams, bringing a familiar blend of optimism and unfinished business. Even with the opener drawing near, San Francisco is still sorting through injuries and some unsettled spots on the roster, the kind of early-season uncertainty that can linger longer than a team would like when the games finally start counting.
For now, the front office does not appear eager to rush into a signing, but the market is still there if the 49ers decide they need insurance. Jeff Okudah, Leonard Floyd and Laken Tomlinson all make sense as veteran options because of their past ties to the organization or coaching staff, and each could offer depth if the roster picture gets any murkier before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]