Buy Stribling in drafts after impressive debut
Kyle Dvorchak breaks down the numbers behind De'Zhaun Stribling's preseason debut for the San Francisco 49ers and why managers should buy in fantasy drafts with a path to becoming a starter.
Video Transcript
49ers rookie wide receiver DeSean Stribling caught seven passes for 63 yards versus the Titans in the 49ers preseason opener.
Stribling only played in the first half, and it was the second most receptions for a rookie in the first half of a preseason game over the past decade.
That is admittedly a lot of qualifiers for some made-up record I just came up with.
I'm not sure how much it means, but I will note the player ahead of him in sole possession of the most first half receptions for a rookie in a preseason game is Tez Johnson, who didn't do all that much as a rookie last year, but quietly caught five touchdowns in a crowded wide receiver room, no less, and then tied at number two with seven receptions is a much bigger hit in Rasheed Rice, who truly became the Chiefs' number one receiver as a rookie.
Took some time, but he was just their best pass-catching option.
I don't think we're getting a Rasheed Rice type of rookie season from DeSean Stribling, but man, the 49ers spent the number 33 overall pick on Stribling.
They already lost one of their prospective starters in Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk, a potential veteran presence, someone who could have kept Stribling off the field, is banged up as well.
Then Stribling goes and balls out in the first preseason game he plays.
This does strike me as a player who is locked into a starting role on an efficient Kyle Shanahan offense.
Any of you didn't like him as a prospect, even if you thought the 33rd pick was a reach, there is real talent-based upside here, and he's already flashing.
To me, he just is a screaming buy right now in fantasy drafts.
