SANTA CLARA —De’Zhaun Stribling is using every resource possible to assist his acclimation to life in the NFL. The 49ers’ first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft returned to practice Saturday after missing a few on-field workouts due to hamstring tightness. Through the process, he has been taking notes on veteran receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel.
“Route running, physicality, the way that they can manipulate routes and [cornerbacks] in their route,” Stribling said about what he’s learning. “Getting open, getting separation, having strong hands at the catch point. Using my body and my speed.”
Even while he was sidelined, the rookie shared that he learned by watching and going through the mental reps of each play. On Saturday, Stribling had reps with Brock Purdy, Mac Jones and Kurtis Rourke.
The former Ole Miss receiver has been seen lining up in the slot, out wide and involved as a ball-carrier in end-around and jet-sweep situations. As a receiver in coach Kyle Shanahan’s system, Stribling will need to learn all three wide receiver positions — X, Y and F.