San Francisco 49ers select WR De’Zhaun Stribling in 2026 NFL Draft

With the first pick in the second round, their first of the 2026 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Ole Miss WR De'Zhaun Stribling.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Apr 24, 2026, 4:47 PM

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It took until day two, but the San Francisco 49ers made their first pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, selecting Ole Miss wide reciever De’Zhaun Stribling.

After trading down twice from their initial spot at pick 27, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and the 49ers were willing to take calls for the first pick of the second round, but obviously did not end up finding any deals they viewed as worth it.

Stribling, 6’2″, spent his first two collegiate seasons at Washington State, where he tallied a combined 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns on 95 receptions in that time. After transferring to Oklahoma State for his junior season, Stribling’s season ended after just four games due to a wrist injury, which earned him another season of eligibility.

Strib city in Red and Gold 🤩@NetApp | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/LcJnvf0qRa

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 24, 2026

In his 2024 campaign at OSU, the speedy wideout had a standout season with 882 yards and six touchdowns on 52 receptions. Averaging 17 yards per reception in those years speaks to the long-ball threat that he can provide.

But Stribling transferred one final time, playing last season at Ole Miss, where he recorded 811 yards and six touchdowns. Many were surprised at the pick, with some mock drafts even having the Ole Miss product being taken in the third round.

Matt Miller, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst & Insider, provided a similar sentiment in his live draft reaction as well.

“The 49ers moved out of Round 1 and took calls all day about trading out of this spot, but with so much high-end talent on the board they stuck and picked here to address the wide receiver position. Despite adding Mike Evans and having former first-rounder Ricky Pearsall on the roster, the 49ers lack a deep threat. That’s who Stribling is, with 4.36 speed at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds. This is a surprise with Denzel Boston and Germie Bernard on the board, but the scheme fit and need are legit to start Round 2.” — Matt Miller, ESPN

Of course, we’ll have to see how it all plays out, but their wide reciever room is now expected to feature star free agent signing Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, and Stribling.

They’re still expected to try to move on from Brandon Aiyuk this offseason as well.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 1: De'Zhaun Stribling #1 of the Ole Miss Rebels runs after a catch against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at Caesars Superdome on January 1, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)

De’Zhaun Stribling #1 of the Ole Miss Rebels runs after a catch against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game on January 1, 2026 (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)

How the 49ers traded down for De’Zhaun Stribling

Originally coming into the night with the 27th overall pick, San Francisco general manager John Lynch elected to trade down in a deal with the Miami Dolphins.

Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers sent picks 27 and 138 in exchange for picks 30 and 90.

30, 90 to the #49ers
27 and 138 to #Dolphins https://t.co/SOXhwGrooq

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 24, 2026

Essentially, in exchange for allowing Miami to move up three picks in the first round, the 49ers move up 48 spots from the fourth round to the third. The Dolphins selected San Diego State CB Chris Johnson, while the 49ers traded down again just moments later.

Right as they were about to go on the clock, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that they were once again trading down, acquiring picks 33 and 179 from the New York Jets for the 30th pick.

NYJ trades: 33, 179
SF trades: 30 https://t.co/JseBKyu8nu

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 24, 2026

The Jets used that pick to select WR Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana, while the 49ers waited roughly 24 hours before adding their first rookie in Stribling.