The evolution that has occurred in evaluations and takes since the San Francisco 49ers drafted wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling out of Ole Miss in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft has been stark.
At the time, many felt the Niners reached on Stribling since many draft experts thought he would go later in Round 2. Yet, after Stribling went off in the preseason and looked like he was more than ready to be an NFL starter, several folks have changed their tune. Maybe the mock draft consensus is not all-knowing as some choose to treat it.
ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky went on the Pat McAfee Show and praised the way Stribling has looked thus far, saying, “De'Zhaun Stribling is an absolute stud and I think he's gonna be the 49ers’ go-to pass catcher.”
Not only that, but on social media, Orlovsky compared Stribling to a name that will be very familiar to 49ers fans: Michael Crabtree.
It’s an interesting comparison, but it might actually be selling Stribling short. David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard noted that Stribling ran a 4.3 40-yard-dash time while Crabtree ran a 4.54.
49ers would be just fine with De'Zhaun Stribling comparison
Stribling doesn’t seem like a speedster because he has some good size and seems more like a guy who will go up and make contested catches. But that speed, he could be a hidden weapon.
Still, if the 49ers could sign a piece of paper right now that guaranteed Stribling put up the same career numbers as Crabtree, they’d have to do it.
From 2009 to 2014, Crabtree had 347 receptions for 4,327 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was a solid No. 1 or No. 2 option for San Francisco during those playoff years under head coach Jim Harbaugh. While he was never elite or the fastest guy on the field, Crabtree was supremely solid, and if Stribling had the same sort of career, the Niners would be thrilled.
Of course, there’s a chance that Stribling could be even better than Crabtree. If he does indeed have better speed than Crabtree, then that’s not out of the question, especially since Stribling is being dropped right into a well-oiled machine of an offense run by head coach Kyle Shanahan.
In terms of comparing the two, it also doesn't hurt that Crabtree wore No. 15 when he played for the Niners, which is the same number Stribling wore in the preseason, although he has now switched to No. 7.
Only time will tell if Orlovsky’s comparison on Stribling ends up looking good or not, but a Crabtree-like career would be a definite win for San Francisco.
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