De’Zhaun Stribling earns praise from 49ers teammates

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling has garnered significant praise from teammates and coaching staff following his preseason performances. After being selected with the first pick of the second round in the 2026 NFL Draft following a productive collegiate career at Ole Miss, Stribling has transitioned from a skeptical narrative to one of optimism.

Quarterback Brock Purdy has highlighted Stribling’s intelligence and reliability, noting his ability to make difficult catches and establish chemistry during drives. Tight end George Kittle also commended the rookie’s work ethic and ego-free attitude, describing him as a player who actively seeks to absorb information from veterans.

Stribling joins a wide receiver room that includes veteran Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Christian Kirk. Despite initial expectations that he might play a secondary role behind established players, his preseason play has positioned him as a notable contributor to the offense.