The San Francisco 49ers traded out of the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and ultimately landed the first pick of Round 2 at No. 33 overall. Despite receiving multiple calls about the selection and exploring a potential trade down, the team chose to stay put and select wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling out of Mississippi.

The pick immediately drew some criticism, with some believing the 49ers reached and could have traded down again while still landing their target.


San Francisco's third-round selection of former Indiana running back Kaelon Black sparked similar reactions, as many projections had him going in the fifth or sixth round.

General manager John Lynch stood by both decisions, emphasizing the team's conviction.

"That's where we had them, and we had a lot of conviction on each of them," Lynch said. "And De'Zhaun, we listened. There were a lot of calls for 33 because it is a coveted pick, but at the end of the day, our entire building had conviction, and there's a lot to love about the kid.

"He's a big, strong guy, plays with a tremendous physicality—legit speed. To be that size, running a 4.39, and that shows on tape. It's not just a time that you never see on film. He's got that speed, and he shows it, and we love the total package."

Stribling also built a reputation as one of the best blocking wide receivers in the class—a trait the 49ers highly value. With Jauan Jennings not expected to return, it raises the question of whether Stribling could fill a similar role.


Head coach Kyle Shanahan believes he can.

"I think everyone knows how good of a blocker Jauan was—or is—and how big he's been for us in that way," Shanahan said. "So, we have a hole without that. So this guy definitely can fill that."

That wasn't the primary reason Shanahan was drawn to Stribling, however.

"For me, I don't ever start watching receivers block," Shanahan continued. "It all has to do with the football, and I really fell in love with him with the ball, as a route runner, how fast he is, how big he is, how good his hands are, how physical he played with the ball."

"When you watch a guy with that size, and how physically he runs with the ball, you assume he's a good blocker. And then to hear the people who are further along than I was (in the evaluation process) say he's the best blocker in the draft—he has elite blocking skills. And then to confirm it after that, it was real cool to watch."


Lynch also explained why the 49ers were so high on Black, whom the team met early in the evaluation process at the Senior Bowl.

Black is expected to compete with Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, and others for a role behind star running back Christian McCaffrey.

"His film speaks for itself—really hard-running kid, rocked-up kid," Lynch said. "Had an opportunity to visit with him at the Senior Bowl, met with him at the Senior Bowl, and you can't help but love the kid and everything he stands for.

"People there just talk about one of their favorite kids in the program—a lot of that from the school, from the strength coach, from the offensive coordinator. And then, you turn on the film, and we really feel like he can help us in a big way, and we're really excited to have landed him."

One of McCaffrey's defining traits is his versatility, particularly his ability to contribute in the passing game. While Black showed receiving ability at James Madison, he wasn't heavily utilized in that role after transferring to Indiana.


Lynch believes that part of his game can still translate to the NFL.

"I think he can handle himself there," Lynch said. "I think that's another thing—Senior Bowl. You evaluate everything [at the] Senior Bowl, you turn on his one-on-ones. I was there, Kyle watched it on the film, and the one-on-ones really stood out.

"So, while he wasn't featured at Indiana, at James Madison, did a little more of that. We think he can have a role there as well, and just couldn't be happier to have him."

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