De'Zhaun Stribling Emerges as One of the NFL Preseason's Top Breakout Stars
From a questioned second-round pick to an explosive vertical threat, the former Ole Miss standout silenced skeptics by dominating exhibition play with blistering speed and elite route-running.
Video Transcript
With the NFL preseason wrapped up and the regular season around the corner, one of the biggest talking points across training camps has been San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver, Dashawn Stribling.
Selected with the number 33 overall pick, the first choice in the second round of the NFL Draft, Stribling was the 49ers first draft selection after General Manager John Lynch traded down twice to stock up on picks.
While some draft pungents questioned taking Stribling that early, his electric performance throughout the preseason has silenced critics and turned him into one of the most talked about rookies in the league.
San Francisco entered the off-season with a clear directive, add explosive game-breaking speed to the receiving core.
The 2025 49ers offense struggled to create vertical separation and failed to produce a single skill player who broke the 20 mile per hour mark with the ball in hand.
While their wide receivers in total averaged just 127.7 receiving yards per game, which clocked in at 21st in the NFL.
Enter Stribling.
Coming off a standout college season at Ole Miss, where he posted 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns, Stribling turned heads at the NFL Combine by clocking a 4.36 40-yard dash.
That rare combination of 6'2" size and speed was precisely what Lynch and Head Coach Sha- Kyle Shanahan were looking for.
Initial depth charts listed Stribling behind established targets, but circumstances quickly forced the rookie into a prominent role.
Following a season-ending injury to Ricky Pearsall, Stribling vaulted the depth chart quickly.
Rather than looking overwhelmed, the rookie took full advantage of his extra first team snaps.
His performance didn't go unnoticed by teammates or opponents.
Mike Evans said, "He gets the job done.
Strib gets the job done.
He's a rookie, but he's a pro.
He's been a r- pro.
The way he practices, the way he prepares, he's going to make a lot of plays for us this year."
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan said, "I liked how his hands looked out there and, and played physical."
Robert Saleh, the Titans head coach, said, "That Stribling kid's going to be pretty good.
He's big, strong receiver."
Stribling enters the regular season healthy and integrated into the game plan, and positioned as a core contributor for a contender.
With his combination of raw athletic traits and early pro level maturity, Dashawn Stribling has established himself as one of the standout rookies to watch as this regular season kicks off.
