The San Francisco 49ers have made a bold move in the NFL Draft, selecting wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the 33rd pick. This move has sparked curiosity and debate among fans and analysts alike, as the team has been linked to numerous wide receivers in this draft cycle. Personally, I think this selection is a strategic move that addresses a long-term need at the position, despite the team's recent additions of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency.
What makes this pick particularly intriguing is the team's apparent lack of interest in other wide receivers. National reporters were hinting at the 49ers 'getting action,' but no deal was good enough for them. This tells me that Stribling was the floor for the team, at least in their minds. In my opinion, this suggests that the 49ers have high hopes for Stribling's potential and believe he can be a key contributor to the team's success.
Stribling is a unique physical profile, standing over 6'2" and 200 pounds with 10" hands. His athletic testing, including a 4.36 40-yard dash and a broad jump in the 82nd percentile, is impressive, but it's his usage as a blocker and ability to impose his physical will that truly stands out. I used this athletic testing to narrow the weight range to 200-210 pounds, avoiding specimens like Julio Jones.
The 49ers have a history of drafting receivers with a Shanahan/McVay-type of playstyle, and Stribling fits this mold perfectly. He caught 74% of his targets last season for 811 yards and six touchdowns, with the majority of those coming under 10 yards. However, he also showed NFL talent at the intermediate range, catching four of his six contested targets and forcing a pair of missed tackles. This versatility and ability to make plays in traffic are exactly what the 49ers need.
One thing that immediately stands out is the comparison to Christian Watson, a 6'4" wide receiver who has shown improvements in his game and big-play ability. Watson can't seem to stay healthy, but Stribling, who turns 24 in December, has a similar physical profile and athletic testing. In my notes, I have 'Looks like a Day 1 player. Age limits the ceiling.' This suggests that Stribling has the potential to be a Day 1 player, but his age may limit his ceiling.
The 49ers' selection of Stribling raises a deeper question: What does this mean for the team's long-term plans at the wide receiver position? With Evans and Kirk already on the roster, Stribling's selection suggests that the team is looking for a long-term solution at the position. This could mean that the team is planning for the future and looking to build a strong core of wide receivers.
In conclusion, the 49ers' selection of De'Zhaun Stribling is a strategic move that addresses a long-term need at the wide receiver position. While Stribling may not have the same ceiling as some of the other receivers in the draft, his physical profile, athletic testing, and ability to make plays in traffic make him a valuable addition to the team. From my perspective, this move is a smart and calculated decision that will benefit the team in the long run.
