Why the 49ers Needed to Draft WR De’Zhaun Stribling

There's more to it.

Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (1) runs after a catch for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Drafting Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling with the 33rd overall pick was a bit of a wild one by the San Francisco 49ers.

He was a player who seemed poised to be a third-round pick. In a way, it shouldn’t be shocking that the 49ers selected him. They’re the poster child of reaching for players in the draft.

Reaching aside, there is another reason not to be surprised by Stribling's selection, and it goes beyond his skills.

The 49ers needed to draft Stribling

Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA;Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'zhaun Stribling (1) makes a catch against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Keionte Scott (0) in the second half during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

If you look at the future of the wide receiver position on the 49ers, you’ll realize quickly that there is no future. It’s impossible to look at more than one current receiver as a long-term player.

And that one current player is Ricky Pearsall, who is a true toss-up for the long-term given his injuries. But he’s their best option, which says a lot about the poor state of the future of the position.

You can’t even consider Jacob Cowing or Jordan Watkins. There’s zero runway for them to grow and earn a role in the offense now. If the 49ers had any faith in them, then they probably wouldn’t draft Stribling No. 33 overall. 

Mike Evans and Christian Kirk were both band-aid signings. Kirk is on a one-year deal, and so is Evans essentially. There’s a chance Evans remains with the 49ers in 2027, which would be great.

It would mean he’s still a high-level player and keeps the position comfortable. But the Niners still need more there, and that’s what drew them to Stribling. Wide receiver was on their list of needs.

Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (1) catches the ball before being tackled by Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ja'boree Antoine (16) and dropping it during the CFP Fiesta Bowl at the State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. | Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The talent he possesses, from his strong blocking to his blazing speed for downfield plays, made him their perfect pick. Now, they have a second receiver in their long-term plans.

The downside is it's extremely difficult to envision Stribling as anything more than a No. 3 receiver. At best, he'll flash as a No. 2 receiver. But at least he helps to dispel some of the blurriness at the position for the next few years

That doesn't make his selection at No. 33 any less of a reach. If anything, it adds to it. Anytime a team prioritizes need, it leads them to make poor draft decisions.

Stribling might very well be a solid player, but the 49ers might've been able to draft Chase Bisontis before him and gotten Stribling after.

Hopefully, the 49ers can get Stribling to match the value of a 33rd overall pick.

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