49ers select De'Zhaun Stribling-WR-Ole Miss with the 33rd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by _Goldblooded_:

Love how blocking is so important to this team at every position except OL.

LMFAO

THE IRONY

This guy will be comped to cooper immediately. I can see why lynch traded down to select a 58 spot reach. The hit to his reputation would be unremediateable. Lol.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by _Goldblooded_:
Love how blocking is so important to this team at every position except OL.

LMFAO

THE IRONY

Holy!

LMAO

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by ninerjok:

Did everybody lose their s**t?

Yep..

I truly hope I'm wrong about Stribling, I just didn't see it on tape. The "Day one NFL Caliber look" just wasn't there for me.

I saw a vertical guy, rotational WR3/4, at least early on, Who can block their butt off, but isn't gonna cook anyone with route running or quickness.

I don't want a role playing blocking WR at the top of Round 2, that's absurd. I wouldn't have touched him til the fourth.

It's not that he's awful, it's just way too early for me.

I am still sickened by and hate the value, but I will try to say something positive.

I did say in my scouting report that he has similarities to DK Metcalf, just not as tall, not as big, and overall not the same caliber as a prospect. Metcalf went at the very end of round 2. I thought Stribling was at least 30–40 picks worth lower, hence the R4 grade in a stacked class.

We had offers to trade back and would've had 1000 other good options if he somehow wasn't there after we traded. We just said screw it who cares about value and took him anyway.

This never works out for us, so why do we think after dozens of tries, this time will finally be different?

Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:
This guy will be comped to cooper immediately. I can see why lynch traded down to select a 58 spot reach. The hit to his reputation would be unremediateable. Lol.

While cooper was a higher grade for everyone and I would prefer him over Stribling, I wasn't a massive Cooper fan. Overall wasn't that impressed with him and thought he was overrated throughout the process. I was okay passing on him, didn't like the value they got in the draft though.

May be the best run after catch guy since Deebo. We have had nobody that can turn a short or intermediate pass to a homerun in while. Agree he looks like Jennings with way more athleticism.

Originally posted by Memphis9er:

Originally posted by Tigerlaw:
Good-I love that they addressed the X receiver position.

Bad-Absolute waste of value on the pick. Stribling was considered the lower tier of X receiver below Brazzel and Hurst among others. I saw him mocked in the 3rd round or later. I find it hard to believe we couldn't trade back another time. The only trait Stribling has better than other X receivers is his blocking ability.

Stribling mostly played slot (Y) and flanker (Z), not split end (X). My guess is he will play mostly flanker and be our guy that moves, and sometimes move into the slot to give Pearsall a break. I love the player, I'm don't give a f**k about perceived "value" on a fan site, it gives me a chuckle when the armchairs act like they know what the value of a player is to the team. I think the pick speaks for how the team "values" the player. I have seem this guy play, and he is fun to watch. I think he is going to be fun to watch in Kyle's offense.

You don't like talking about value? Then you haven't watched the niners draft Kickers that bust in the 3rd round while other teams draft sick DEs with the next picks.

another first round WR to a crowded room with multiple other needs still unaddressed by picking a WR that no one had at beginning of round 2.

you really don't understand the concept do you? It's ok. Kyle and John don't either.

the new improved model of Juan Jennings, introducing 3rd and DeZhaun.... bigger, quicker, faster, stronger.

Good measurements. Likes going to work, coachable. Physical, snatches ball with defenders in his face. I love how DBs are in position / have an angle on him and running full speed, but he still runs right past them. Long legs, fast strides

I don't have any doubts that he'll get a lot of playing time... Pearsall will miss games, Cowing will get a scratch and can't play all of a sudden, Watkins gonna find a way to get in dog house again

Shanny worried that he can't sit this dude on the bench, WR rookie initiation (Shnanny Special)... dude can already block

Time to dig dive as many of us were surprised by this pick.

Originally posted by Big_Daddy:
You don't like talking about value? Then you haven't watched the niners draft Kickers that bust in the 3rd round while other teams draft sick DEs with the next picks.

another first round WR to a crowded room with multiple other needs still unaddressed by picking a WR that no one had at beginning of round 2.

you really don't understand the concept do you? It's ok. Kyle and John don't either.

Oh damn.. I forgot about that kicker in the 3rd round. This team just doesn't care about value when they really like the player.

I would have prefered Denzel Boston quite frankly but I don't hate this. I think he fits the team, has speed, talent. Now yeah the value is not there. They should have trade down again.
FWIW, on the athletic football show, Dane Bugler said that he was a late riser on every teams boards. He was not surprised Stribling was drafted in the second round. Stribling had to cancel two 30 visits apparently because everyone wanted to see him. They said he's the best YAC guy the Niners have on their roster since Deebo.

I imagine the 49ers were targeting this guy, knowing he was a reach, and that's why they traded back twice. I don't get the insta-hate. He has top level speed and good hands. The 49ers offense really had a need: a need for speed.