Despite the conjecture about when the San Francisco 49ers drafted receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, there is a case to be made that he will fit well on the team.

The Athletic's Ted Nguyen named Stribling's placement on the 49ers as the sixth-best scheme fit among the 2026 draft picks. Stribling's 4.3 40-yard dash speed, as well as his ability to block and play in Kyle Shanahan's outside zone offense. Nguyen wrote that he's a great replacement for Jauan Jennings, too.

I’m sure coach Kyle Shanahan envisions Stribling as a supercharged version of Jennings. Jennings was a big possession slot receiver, whereas Stribling can play outside and win deep with speed and physicality at the catch point. According to Matt Harmon’s reception perception, Stribling’s best route is the dig (83.3 percent success rate), a prominent route in Shanahan’s offense and one of Brock Purdy’s favorites. Stribling will give the 49ers a physical runner after the catch, one they really don’t have after moving on from Deebo Samuel last season and Jennings this season, and with tight end George Kittle recovering from tearing an Achilles tendon in the playoffs.

There is a lot to like about Stribling the player, but the questions around him were where the 49ers took him. San Francisco had three picks in the third round, starting at No. 90, where they could have taken the Ole Miss receiver. But at the end of the day, if a team wants a player, they'll take him where they can.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers WR De’Zhaun Stribling ranked among best fits from 2026 class