The San Francisco 49ers are entering the 2026 campaign with a new-look wide receiver room, with the headliner being six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans, who was signed to a three-year, $42 contract in free agency. However, so far during training camp and preseason play, the new addition that fans everywhere are getting excited about is De’Zhaun Stribling.
On paper at least, Stribling may not be the first name that jumps off the page when looking at the 49ers’ wide receiver room, but he has been hard to miss during his time on the field so far. Everyone has noticed what Stribling has been able to do, including star quarterback Brock Purdy, who recently offered a rave review when discussing the rookie pass catcher.
Brock Purdy Gushes Over De’Zhaun Stribling
Stribling spent time at three different schools in college, but it was his final season with the Ole Miss Rebels that really put him on the radar of NFL Teams. In 15 games, Stribling caught 55 passes for 811 yards and six touchdowns, which led to the Niners selecting him with the first pick of the second round in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Initially, expectations weren’t all that high for Stribling. Evans obviously is the leader of the wide receiver room, but guys like Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, and Demarcus Robinson all were in line for snaps over Stribling. Pearsall is already out for the season, but San Fran’s front office ended up reuniting with Deebo Samuel in free agency to replace him.
As a second-round pick, Stribling’s spot on the roster was already secure, but he’s been proving to the team and its coaching staff that he is deserving of snaps right from the get-go. Purdy has certainly taken note of Stribling’s strong play, as he raved about the rookie pass catcher when asked about him recently.
“Obviously really excited about him,” Purdy said of Stribling on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “He’s a smart kid. He’s come in and learned our offense. He’s got strong hands. Great route runner … We’re going to have his back this year. It’s a long year as a rookie. We get it. But he’s shown flashes, and we’re all really excited about him.”
Could De’Zhaun Stribling Contribute Right Away for the 49ers?
GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 13: De’zhaun Stribling #15 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium on August 13, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
We’ve already mentioned Pearsall’s injury, but Evans and Kirk are both dealing with their own ailments, which has opened the door for Stribling to get more reps during practice. He has certainly made the most of his opportunities, and it would not be a surprise if he is a factor on offense come Week 1.
Stribling is also a bit banged up himself, as he’s dealing with a shoulder injury, but it isn’t expected to cause him to miss much time. The more time Stribling can spend on the field, the better, as Purdy is always going to need guys to throw to once the season gets underway. So while he’s already been mightily impressive, this may just be the start of a strong rookie campaign for Stribling.
49ers QB Brock Purdy Sends Clear Message on Rookie WR De’Zhaun Stribling