The San Francisco 49ers used their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—No. 33 overall—on wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, an intriguing playmaker out of Ole Miss who could quickly earn a role in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.

Of course, Stribling will have to climb the depth chart. Veteran Mike Evans and third-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall are expected to start on the outside, while Christian Kirk is projected to work his way into the mix—likely contributing in the slot.


Still, CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani is high on Stribling's potential. The analyst named the 23-year-old one of his four NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year sleepers, alongside Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon, Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams, and Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman.

Dajani acknowledged the surprise around the NFL when the 49ers selected Stribling as the sixth wide receiver off the board. After all, CBS Sports ranked Stribling as the No. 19 wide receiver in the 2026 draft class.

"However, I trust John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan, and they clearly wanted this prospect," Dajani wrote.

Stribling appears to fit the mold of a Shanahan receiver. He is fast—posting a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine—and has earned praise for his willingness to block, a trait highly valued in the 49ers' offense.

"He caught 55 passes for 811 yards last season for the Ole Miss Rebels and led the team with six receiving touchdowns," Dajani wrote. "He also caught seven passes for 122 yards in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal upset against Georgia. Surely he can find a role in this efficient San Francisco 49ers offensive attack -- and should have the opportunity, too."


The 49ers have battled injuries at wide receiver in recent seasons, and their prized offseason addition, Evans, was limited to eight games last season because of hamstring and clavicle injuries. Pearsall has also missed 14 games over his first two NFL seasons.

Opportunities could open up for Stribling sooner rather than later.

Dajani also pointed to Jauan Jennings' departure in free agency as another reason Stribling could carve out an early role in Shanahan's offense before eventually establishing himself as a full-time outside threat.

"If the 49ers' weapons struggle again with injuries, Stribling may be the surprise player that was hiding in plain sight," Dajani wrote. "This is a fast kid with good size joining a dangerous passing attack."

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