The San Francisco 49ers definitely don't use a standard big board for the NFL Draft.
If they did, they likely wouldn't have taken Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling at No. 33 overall to kick off Round 2 of the 2025 draft.
Yet the Niners did, hoping to both put a younger receiver in the pipeline to eventually replace recently signed veterans, Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, while also aiming to replace one of their free-agent departures, Jauan Jennings.
Unlike Jennings, Stribling is fast. The 6-foot-2, 207-pound prospect ran a 4.36 40-yard time at the NFL Combine, and Shanahan has long been known for having an affinity for speedy pass catchers.
In that regard, the head coach gets his guy to stretch the field.
But there's another nugget behind why San Francisco prioritized the Ole Miss rebel so early when he likely could have been had a round or two later.
And Shanahan helped explain why.
Kyle Shanahan touts De'Zhaun Stribling's blocking skills as a reason 49ers drafted him
Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the draft's day two, Shanahan explained how losing Jennings on the open market prompted the need to find a blocking-type wide receiver.
Although it wasn't something the coach necessarily looked for right away.
"For me, I don't ever start watching receivers block," Shanahan said, via 95.7 The Game. "It all has to do with the football. I really fell in love with him as a route runner, how fast he is, how big he is, how good his hands are, how physical he is with the ball."
"For me, I don't ever start watching receivers block. It all has to do with the football. I really fell in love with him as a route runner, how fast he is, how big he is, how good his hands are, how physical he is with the ball."
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) April 25, 2026
Kyle Shanahan when asked if De'Zhaun Stribling… pic.twitter.com/bmV8tFv0ge
But Shanahan continued with his evaluation, specifically pointing out a Jennings-like blocking skill.
"Then to hear from people who are further along than I am, or was, say he's the best blocker in the draft, he has elite blocking skills. Then to confirm it after that, it was real cool to watch," the head coach continued.
San Francisco will unquestionably miss Jennings' elite blocking abilities and how he frequently got under opponents' skin.
For now, at least, Stribling projects as someone who can not only deliver on speed but can also occupy that tough blocking ability Shanahan covets.
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