The San Francisco 49ers made a shocking pick as they picked wideout De’Zhaun Stribling at pick 33. Many had other playmakers ahead of Stribling, such as Denzel Boston and Germie Bernard. However, after this surprising pick, how does the 49ers offense look?
A Look at the 49ers’ WR Room After Drafting De’Zhaun Stribling
Mike Evans
Evans brings years of experience and consistency to the 49ers. Evans had 11 straight years of 1,000-yard seasons. In 2025, he did not hit that mark due to injuries, but if he were fully healthy, there is a chance Evans would have.
In a division that has great corners, such as Trent McDuffie with the Los Angeles Rams or Devon Witherspoon with the Seattle Seahawks.
With the years that Evans brings to the 49ers, he could help 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy develop. Purdy graded out as an A- and ranked No. 1 overall last year, according to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric.
As great as Purdy is, with Evans’ experience, he could help the 49ers quarterback reach new heights.
Ricky Pearsall
When healthy, Pearsall has been a very good, effective offensive option for the 49ers. However, his injuries have been an issue, as he played only 9 games last year.
Pearsall is great at route running over the middle of the field. Additionally, Purdy and Pearsall have shown great chemistry.
Evans is more of a down-the-field threat, so Pearsall and he could be an effective receiving duo for the 49ers.
With the addition of Stribling, Pearsall could ease in and have less pressure on him to allow his body to heal and adapt to the NFL level.
De’Zhaun Stribling
More likely than not, Stribling will be receiver three as Pearsall and Evans have more experience. All three receivers lack slot traits; they have more perimeter traits. So, it might take time to adjust whatever receiver takes on the slot duties.
However, with the 49ers drafting Stribling higher than consensus, maybe he does play above Pearsall. It is very unlikely that Stribling plays above Evans.
Stribling comes to the 49ers from three different colleges. Stribling spent time at Washington State, Oklahoma State, and his latest stop was Ole Miss.
Stribling never had more than 900 yards in a season. The highest amount of yards he had in a year was 882 in 2024.
However, Stribling has impressive yards-per-game averages: in 2024 and 2025, he posted 73.5 and 54.1 yards per game, respectively. Stribling is not an explosive playmaker but a reliable one.
Demarcus Robinson
Like Evans, Robinson is a veteran, having been drafted by the Chiefs in 2016. Robinson had a solid season, but his best game was against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round. In this game, Robinson had 111 receiving yards.
With the addition of Stribling, Robinson might not play as much. However, he has shown that he can make big plays when called upon.
Jacob Cowing
Cowing, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been quiet so far in his career. He has only recorded 4 catches for 80 yards in 15 games.
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Jordan Watkins
Like Cowing, Watkins has not seen many receptions in his career. However, Watkins is only 24, so he still has time to grow and develop in his NFL Career.
Overall, Stribling comes to an offense that already has a lot of great players, such as tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers are loaded offensively and are looking to have another successful season.
