The San Francisco 49ers' 2026 NFL Draft surely got the attention of fans and members of the national media. They went against the consensus board with the majority of their picks, which caused some discourse.
With that being in the rearview mirror, the focus is on the 2026 season and how these rookies could make an impact.
Quarterback Brock Purdy was a guest at the Dwight Clark Legacy Series event last week, and he took some time to speak with NBC Sports Bay Area's Laura Britt and heaped praise on rookie De'Zhaun Stribling:
Stribling's a guy that has a lot of raw talent, and just throwing routes on air to him and getting a feel for how he moves and his speed, he's a guy that, obviously once we get him in the playbook a lot and get reps with each other on the field, I feel like he's going to be a guy that can come in and make an instant impact.
For a team that looks to compete in an ultra-competitive NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, the Niners will need everyone to step up, and Purdy already thinks Stribling will help this offense.
Brock Purdy has high hopes for De'Zhaun Stribling in 2026
The 49ers will likely start the year with tight end George Kittle on the sideline after he tore his Achilles in January, so they will need production from others in the passing game. Christian Kirk and Mike Evans joined San Francisco via free agency, but Stribling has already made an impression on Purdy.
Stribling needs some refinement as a route runner, but he's a big-bodied receiver who can bring another explosive element to the offense. He also showed flashes that he can excel in contested catch situations and be a willing blocker in the run game.
Over his last two seasons in college with Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, he had 107 catches for 1,693 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns, and 15.8 yards per reception. Stribling has good straight-line speed that can allow him to get past cornerbacks. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, which certainly put him higher on teams' radars.
The 49ers know they need more from their receivers. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne were San Francisco's top receivers in 2025, but neither player will be back next season. Meanwhile, Ricky Pearsall has struggled to stay healthy.
The opportunities will be there for Stribling to get meaningful reps, and based on how Purdy is speaking, he'll look to build that chemistry this summer.
When the 2026 season rolls around, it appears as if Purdy will look in Stribling's direction, and from the way it sounds, he expects him to make an impact immediately as well.
That's the kind of chatter you want to hear from your franchise quarterback on an incoming rookie.
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