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

Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

He seems like a grounded chill dude. I know we got side swiped by the pick as he wasn't talked about and there were bigger names getting more attention. I really like the tape so far. Big, fast, explosive and can take it to the house along to being a great blocker. If he gets on the field and show up his skills, I am more than good with this pick. I just have to accept about this management that they like to reach when they love the player. Nothing we can do about that.

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
Kyle knows how to pick WR. He's been more right than wrong. Clearly not into celebrating draft picks this year doe lol

Has he though....only pearsall is still on the roster and we know headcase aiyuk ain't coming back.

Honestly, I'd say yes Kyle knows how to pick a receiver. Any objective person would say yes. Between Deebo, Aiyuk, Jennings, and even Richie James who carved out a career as a 7th round pick (5 seassons played when the average NFL career is 3.3 years is pretty good. Objectively you could put it up against any team and they should at least make the top 10 of franchises in terms of drafting receivers. If we are projecting, I think Pearsall will ultimately be a hit if he stays healthy. And of Cowing, Stribbling, and Watkins, at least one of them will come through. It doesn't mean there haven't had their misses, because they have had some misses. But it's not anywhere near the worse in the league or even average.

If you want to see bad drafting (for us), I'd submit our futility at running back before I bring up receiver.

On the subject of Stribling, I can see him being anything from a marginal contributor at worse to a really good number 1 for his career. Stated before that the package is nice- he has size, speed, contested catch ability, can be moved around, and can block, but I just don't see him as the 33rd best player in this draft. I don't even think he would've been taken at 58 if we kept that pick. I hope we are all proven wrong.

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

Not a bad take. If he had played at one of the football powers he likely would have been viewed higher. That has a lot to do with perceptions. If he had played at Washington instead of Washington State or Oklahoma instead of OSU he would have been better known since those schools get more attention. Imagine if he had played at Bama instead of Mississippi State.

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

Floor: Danny Grey

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
Kyle knows how to pick WR. He's been more right than wrong. Clearly not into celebrating draft picks this year doe lol

Has he though....only pearsall is still on the roster and we know headcase aiyuk ain't coming back.

Honestly, I'd say yes. Any objective person would say yes. Between Deebo, Aiyuk, Jennings, and even Richie James who carved out a career as a 7th round pick (5 seassons played when the average NFL career is 3.3 years is pretty good. Objectively you could put it up against any team and they should at least make the top 10 of franchises in terms of drafting receivers. If we are projecting, I think Pearsall will ultimately be a hit if he stays healthy. And of Cowing, Stribbling, and Watkins, at least one of them will come through. It doesn't mean there haven't had their misses, because they have had some misses. But it's not anywhere near the worse in the league or even average.

If you want to see bad drafting (for us), I'd submit our futility at running back before I bring up receiver.

On the subject of Stribling, I can see him being anything from a marginal contributor at worse to a really good number 1 for his career. Stated before that the package is nice- he has size, speed, contested catch ability, can be moved around, and can block, but I just don't see him as the 33rd best player in this draft. I don't even think he would've been taken at 58 if we kept that pick. I hope we are all proven wrong.

I actually like the player, I think the problem is where he was picked.

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

Floor: Danny Grey

Interesting. I didn't realize Danny Gray had grown two inches, gained 20 pounds, had his hands extended by half an inch, and developed a punishing attitude.

Originally posted by Chance:

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

Floor: Danny Grey

Interesting. I didn't realize Danny Gray had grown two inches, gained 20 pounds, had his hands extended by half an inch, and developed a punishing attitude.

Don't forget excellent blocker

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:

On the subject of Stribling, I can see him being anything from a marginal contributor at worse to a really good number 1 for his career. Stated before that the package is nice- he has size, speed, contested catch ability, can be moved around, and can block, but I just don't see him as the 33rd best player in this draft. I don't even think he would've been taken at 58 if we kept that pick. I hope we are all proven wrong.

That is the thing tho....

No one, period....no one can predict the top 50 players in a draft. Everyone is going to get picks wrong, and we have all seen many, many late round draft choices turn into exceptional players

Trying to split hairs between top of a round 2 and bottom of a round 2...on draft night.... is pure folly

I think bagging on a team's draft is 100 percent fair game, because we have all seen every HOF coach/GM that has ever existed make major blunders in the draft. But in reality picking a dude half a round early is hardly a major screw up. The dude will either shine or bust. in 5 years, No one is going to care if the dude was snagged 20 picks to early.

It is going to come down to the dude is either an NFL quality player, or he is not. Only trolls are going to say...yeah he looks legit, but damn he was taken 20 picks to early.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

Not a bad take. If he had played at one of the football powers he likely would have been viewed higher. That has a lot to do with perceptions. If he had played at Washington instead of Washington State or Oklahoma instead of OSU he would have been better known since those schools get more attention. Imagine if he had played at Bama instead of Mississippi State.

It's a good take. The only thing that made him drop some is because he doesn't have great agility and Ole Miss was a powerhouse on offense last year with 5 guys getting over 600 yards and one was close to 400, and a great running attack, so he couldn't put the great numbers you would expect if you're gonna draft someone high.

My only issue with the pick is that we had more important positions to fill with some good players still there, especially Oregon's Safety (if we didn't trade back)

My guess is they aren't sold on Ricky's ability to stay healthy, and Kirk has also gotten banged up the last 2 years.

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

Lazy routes and limited route tree. Of course Deebo put up great numbers in this offense with lazy routes, but it did hurt us in the SB

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

I dont think he can *ever* be Puka. Puka is waaaaay more agile than Stribling in terms of separation and shiftiness and also Puka has insane aggressiveness at the catch point.

Stribling, for an older player with six years under his belt, is kinda stiff. A Jennings with speed isnt really a floor but kind of "average to better than average" scenario imo. NFL teams will sit on his comeback/hitch routes if he doesnt expand his route tree. His athletic traits are great in terms of raw speed and size/frame, but idk. For a Brock Purdy, a QB who relies on anticipation routes and timing, and a QB who doenst like to settle for checkdowns, Im not sure this is a great pairing. We'll see. I like him as a ceiling prospect, but that was a clear reach at 33 and imo not the kind of a WR who can shine right away. I hope Im wrong.

Originally posted by the_dynasty:

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

I dont think he can *ever* be Puka. Puka is waaaaay more agile than Stribling in terms of separation and shiftiness and also Puka has insane aggressiveness at the catch point.

Stribling, for an older player with six years under his belt, is kinda stiff. A Jennings with speed isnt really a floor but kind of "average to better than average" scenario imo. NFL teams will sit on his comeback/hitch routes if he doesnt expand his route tree. His athletic traits are great in terms of raw speed and size/frame, but idk. For a Brock Purdy, a QB who relies on anticipation routes and timing, and a QB who doenst like to settle for checkdowns, Im not sure this is a great pairing. We'll see. I like him as a ceiling prospect, but that was a clear reach at 33 and imo not the kind of a WR who can shine right away. I hope Im wrong.

He's a better fir for the scheme than he is for Purdy's style for sure

Originally posted by the_dynasty:

Originally posted by Chance:
Coming in from a I-know-none-of-these-prospects state of mind, I find it odd that a guy who runs a 4.34, is big, physical blocker, dominant in 50/50 balls, great hands, lunch-pale attitude was not thought of more highly in mock draft circles. Seems like a high floor, high ceiling player totally worthy of being drafted at the top of the 2nd round. I mean, if he had elite agility, he'd be talked about a top 10 pick. Anyway, my point is, everyone that's stressed out about someone they know nohting about are only stressed because make-up mock boards didn't value him where certain teams may have. Oh well. This guy has the size of Puka Nacua who was mocked as a 5-7th round prospect, but is considerably faster. So I guess, let's maybe have a little perspective and patience, and some faith that our talent evaluators have an inside read on the guy.

Ceiling: Puka Nacua with speed

Floor: Juan Jennings with speed

All aboard!

I dont think he can *ever* be Puka. Puka is waaaaay more agile than Stribling in terms of separation and shiftiness and also Puka has insane aggressiveness at the catch point.

Stribling, for an older player with six years under his belt, is kinda stiff. A Jennings with speed isnt really a floor but kind of "average to better than average" scenario imo. NFL teams will sit on his comeback/hitch routes if he doesnt expand his route tree. His athletic traits are great in terms of raw speed and size/frame, but idk. For a Brock Purdy, a QB who relies on anticipation routes and timing, and a QB who doenst like to settle for checkdowns, Im not sure this is a great pairing. We'll see. I like him as a ceiling prospect, but that was a clear reach at 33 and imo not the kind of a WR who can shine right away. I hope Im wrong.

Puka's agility testing was abysmal coming into the draft. I'm not sure I'd say he has good agility as much as he does the little things well that can help a guy gain separation within a route, mainly route running and physicality.

I don't know Stribling enough to know whether he can overcome poor agility much in the same way Puka has, but by all accounts he's got that dog mentality and a great head on his shoulders. His route tree was limited, but I guess we'll see if that was due to his offense or some limitation in his game. No doubt that he's a guy who is strong at the catch, and can certainly grow that part of his game.

Puka is off to a HoF start to his career, so of course it's unlikely that Stribling reaches that level, but he seems to have a remarkably similar set of tools to work with, so that's his ceiling as far as I'm concerned.