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

Here, I went a little deep into the details of Stribling and the playbook and what he needs to clean up to see an expanded role. It's a lot of small things, but the upside is huge.

When the Niners play the Rams in the Land Down Under, that game will tell a lot about the Niners offense, especially the WR's. The Rams have gone out and tried to buy a SB. Those two CB's they got from KC are going to have a lot of pressure on them if #95, and the gang, including AD if he comes back, can't get home. Oh, they may get a few sacks but, that ain't gonna mean a whole lot against Kyle. And AD ain't gonna be in NFL DT FOOTBALL shape. But, Kyle is gonna make sure that it don't come easy for the Rams.

Originally posted by GoreGoreGore:

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
The media is getting insanely hyped over 1 preseason game by a rookie. Who put up numbers in College but honestly should have probably been better numbers. Given his athletic traits. He slightly under performed. But maybe there is reasons for that. An offense not built for WR or a QB issue in College. I don't know. But pump the breaks. Everybody has this guy at 1,000 + yards already and a lot of TD's. He didn't even play 1 regular season game yet. Maybe so and I hope so. Just slow down and hit the breaks. Lets wait and see.

Ok

No, I prefer not to.

To be honest though, I'd be very very happy if Stribling produced a 1000 yarder in his first season. For me, it means he's durable and a definite WR1 for next year and beyond. But, this is wishing just to make clear.

Originally posted by 49erF90:
To be honest though, I'd be very very happy if Stribling produced a 1000 yarder in his first season. For me, it means he's durable and a definite WR1 for next year and beyond. But, this is wishing just to make clear.

1000 yards isn't what it used to be. Rules now make passing easier and they've added an extra game so 1K yards is like 800 was in the 80s.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by 49erF90:
To be honest though, I'd be very very happy if Stribling produced a 1000 yarder in his first season. For me, it means he's durable and a definite WR1 for next year and beyond. But, this is wishing just to make clear.

1000 yards isn't what it used to be. Rules now make passing easier and they've added an extra game so 1K yards is like 800 was in the 80s.

It's not that different. Obviously there's an extra game, so a WR needs to average about 58.8 yards per game to get 1000 as opposed to 62.5 yards per game when there were 16 games.

However, passing yards per game have actually been declining over the last few years. In 2025, teams averaged 209.7 yards per game passing. For comparison, in 1985, the league averaged 204.5 yards per game which was about the average for the decade.

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by 49erF90:
To be honest though, I'd be very very happy if Stribling produced a 1000 yarder in his first season. For me, it means he's durable and a definite WR1 for next year and beyond. But, this is wishing just to make clear.

1000 yards isn't what it used to be. Rules now make passing easier and they've added an extra game so 1K yards is like 800 was in the 80s.

It's not that different. Obviously there's an extra game, so a WR needs to average about 58.8 yards per game to get 1000 as opposed to 62.5 yards per game when there were 16 games.

However, passing yards per game have actually been declining over the last few years. In 2025, teams averaged 209.7 yards per game passing. For comparison, in 1985, the league averaged 204.5 yards per game which was about the average for the decade.

Agree with everything you guys said but my point is when was the last time we had a rookie who surpassed a 1000 yard receiving and lasted the whole season.

Originally posted by 49erF90:

Originally posted by 49ersRing:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Originally posted by 49erF90:
To be honest though, I'd be very very happy if Stribling produced a 1000 yarder in his first season. For me, it means he's durable and a definite WR1 for next year and beyond. But, this is wishing just to make clear.

1000 yards isn't what it used to be. Rules now make passing easier and they've added an extra game so 1K yards is like 800 was in the 80s.

It's not that different. Obviously there's an extra game, so a WR needs to average about 58.8 yards per game to get 1000 as opposed to 62.5 yards per game when there were 16 games.

However, passing yards per game have actually been declining over the last few years. In 2025, teams averaged 209.7 yards per game passing. For comparison, in 1985, the league averaged 204.5 yards per game which was about the average for the decade.

Agree with everything you guys said but my point is when was the last time we had a rookie who surpassed a 1000 yard receiving and lasted the whole season.

That last part of your statement is the most important. Passing is easier whether teams take advantage or not. The QB can't be hit like he used to be so it's easier for him and receivers can get free easier under the new rules.

Originally posted by jonnydel:


Here, I went a little deep into the details of Stribling and the playbook and what he needs to clean up to see an expanded role. It's a lot of small things, but the upside is huge.

Saw this yesterday, but what was Stribling supposed to do on that first play? He had no chance at crossing that defender, because that defender immediately crashed in. So like how far does he commit when not having anyone to "block"? Does he still go in the expected direction as if the defender was at his original depth and then go out, to again influence the db to open up Willis? Does he cut his route sharply to where his defender is, then out?

Originally posted by blizzuntz:

Steve Smith on De'Zhaun Stribling:

"He is what they were hoping Brandon Aiyuk can be, but he has a little bit more mental bandwidth."

Smith explains why Stribling will feast on opposing defenses starting this season and why he will eventually become the 49ers best rout runner pic.twitter.com/2ru4bhaZ1K

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 19, 2026

"He is...."

I'm a big fan of Stribling already, but man I think that's too early to say Stribling can run the same type of routes Aiyuk has. Stuff he's done that got him voted as All Pro.

I know Stribling can make the spectacular catches. Has the speed to break it to the house from anywhere on the field. Let's just hope he continues to grow into the position.

These talking heads are just doing what they do... even 9er fan Steve Smith.

Originally posted by blizzuntz:

Steve Smith on De'Zhaun Stribling:

"He is what they were hoping Brandon Aiyuk can be, but he has a little bit more mental bandwidth."

Smith explains why Stribling will feast on opposing defenses starting this season and why he will eventually become the 49ers best rout runner pic.twitter.com/2ru4bhaZ1K

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 19, 2026

lil more mental bandwidth not sure how ba can come back from that one

Originally posted by Afrikan:

Originally posted by blizzuntz:

Steve Smith on De'Zhaun Stribling:

"He is what they were hoping Brandon Aiyuk can be, but he has a little bit more mental bandwidth."

Smith explains why Stribling will feast on opposing defenses starting this season and why he will eventually become the 49ers best rout runner pic.twitter.com/2ru4bhaZ1K

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 19, 2026

"He is...."

I'm a big fan of Stribling already, but man I think that's too early to say Stribling can run the same type of routes Aiyuk has. Stuff he's done that got him voted as All Pro.

I know Stribling can make the spectacular catches. Has the speed to break it to the house from anywhere on the field. Let's just hope he continues to grow into the position.

These talking heads are just doing what they do... even 9er fan Steve Smith.

Just going off mentality, Stribling is already better than Aiyuk.

Originally posted by Memphis9er:

Originally posted by Afrikan:

Originally posted by blizzuntz:

Steve Smith on De'Zhaun Stribling:

"He is what they were hoping Brandon Aiyuk can be, but he has a little bit more mental bandwidth."

Smith explains why Stribling will feast on opposing defenses starting this season and why he will eventually become the 49ers best rout runner pic.twitter.com/2ru4bhaZ1K

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) August 19, 2026

"He is...."

I'm a big fan of Stribling already, but man I think that's too early to say Stribling can run the same type of routes Aiyuk has. Stuff he's done that got him voted as All Pro.

I know Stribling can make the spectacular catches. Has the speed to break it to the house from anywhere on the field. Let's just hope he continues to grow into the position.

These talking heads are just doing what they do... even 9er fan Steve Smith.

Just going off mentality, Stribling is already better than Aiyuk.

I would more say maturity. Aiyuk had the mental game to perform on the field at a high level, at the biggest stages.

Maturity wise though... oldest teenage professional athlete I've seen.

Stribling is elite at the back shoulder catches, at least in college he was. It's all over his highlights, the exact play he made in preseason.

Still reminds me of Hakeem Nicks