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Many questioned the San Francisco 49ers' decision to use their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft—No. 33 overall—on former Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, with some viewing the pick as a reach.
However, the 49ers believed Stribling's combination of speed, physicality, and willingness to contribute as a blocker made him an ideal fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. With Brandon Aiyuk no longer in the picture, San Francisco identified the receiver as a potential long-term piece for its offense.
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch also knew they weren't the only team interested in Stribling, which helped convince the 49ers to use a premium pick on the young wideout.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, one of those teams was the NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams, who did not select again until No. 61 overall.
"What's interesting about this selection is there was some people that wondered if it was too early for De'Zhaun Stribling to go," Schefter said on NFL Live. "And there were a couple of teams that I spoke to in the draft process, leading up to the draft, that felt that De'Zhaun Stribling was the best wide receiver in the draft.
"Another team, supposedly the Los Angeles Rams, had eyes on him. So, the 49ers didn't just come up with this pick out of nowhere. They knew that there were other teams that had a very high grade on Stribling when the 49ers declined to trade out the top draft slot in the second round and take him there."
Stribling (6-2, 202) is expected to begin his NFL career as a rotational receiver. However, his role could quickly expand as the 49ers develop him into a potential long-term starter on the outside.
Schefter noted that while San Francisco added to its aging core with the signings of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, the team also has promising young talent in Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins.
"There is an interesting blend of youth and experience there in San Francisco," Schefter said.
Over his final two collegiate seasons, Stribling recorded 1,693 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 15.8 yards per reception.
With Stribling off the board, the Rams pivoted to tight end Max Klare with pick No. 61. Los Angeles did not select a wide receiver until the sixth round, when it added CJ Daniels.
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