Late Thursday evening, news broke that the San Francisco 49ers were signing a familiar face. Deebo Samuel is reportedly returning to the Bay on a one-year deal in the wake of injuries suffered by other members of the team's wide receiver room.
With both Christian Kirk and Ricky Pearsall sidelined, there is an argument to be made that Deebo immediately slots in as Brock Purdy's number-two option out wide, though not everybody has been so quick to make that assumption.
NBC's Matt Maiocco had other ideas, and it might be the more favorable between the two scenarios.
"I think it's Mike Evans and De'Zhaun Stribling," the analyst said when asked who he thinks San Francisco's top-two wide receivers are.
49ers must face reality of current Deebo Samuel situation
His answer touches on what will likely be a spirited debate throughout training camp. Who will provide more value to the team as an every-down wideout: the savvy veteran or the high-upside rookie?
While Samuel indeed knows the Niners' offensive attack like the back of his hand, using Stribling as the team's secondary receiver is a no-brainer.
Deebo has already shown fans what he is capable of during his first stint in the Bay, but it is no longer 2021. The former Pro Bowler is now 30, and he is coming off two straight seasons in which he gained fewer than 800 yards through the air. In fact, it's been five years since he has eclipsed 1,000 receving yards. Clearly on the decline, the 49ers simply can't rely on him to be the multifaceted star of old.
Stribling gives 49ers a unique advantage that nobody else does
Stribling, on the other hand, presents a clear upside that none of the other Niners' skill players can match. The 23-year-old is 6'2" and runs a sub-3.40 40. Stribling, being the imposing figure he is, has already turned heads in camp and is forcing himself into the secondary wideout conversation.
His talent ceiling is something coach Kyle Shanahan has very little of. Evans and tight end George Kittle are both north of 30, and running back Christian McCaffrey just reached the magic number himself. In short, Brock Purdy lacks the young, explosive weapons that other quarterbacks of his stature have. Though not a sure thing, Stribling represents a way to level that playing field.
If Ricky Pearsall indeed misses time - or worse, needs surgery and misses the entire season - the 49ers will have to choose between upside and experience. Given the fact that they have more of one than the other, the choice should be obvious.
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