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Former Kyle Shanahan QB loves 49ers' top pick in NFL draft
TL;DR
The San Francisco 49ers faced criticism for their 2026 NFL draft picks, particularly for selecting Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling in the second round. However, former QB Robert Griffin III praised Stribling as a true deep threat who will enhance the team's offense.
Key points
- San Francisco 49ers made eight picks in the 2026 NFL draft
- Criticism focused on second-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling
- Robert Griffin III endorsed Stribling as a deep threat
- Stribling has 4.36 speed and can stretch the field
- Brock Purdy's performance is expected to improve with Stribling
Mentioned in this story
Ole MissRobert Griffin III
De'Zhaun StriblingSan Francisco 49ersBrock Purdy
The San Francisco 49ers may have made eight picks in the 2026 NFL draft, but draft experts, pundits and fans alike have been attacking the team for reaching on several picks throughout the seven rounds.
San Francisco's second-round pick, Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, has been one of the selections that's receiving the most scrutiny, as some believed that the 49ers took him too early.
While there are plenty of doubters, a former first-round pick with a connection to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan seems to love the selection.
"The 49ers just got a TRUE DEEP THREAT in De’Zhaun Stribling from Ole Miss," Robert Griffin III posted on social media. "This guy PUNISHES cushions. 4.36 speed that is instant and he gets vertical in a hurry to scare defenders. Day 1 he will stretch the field and create big plays for everybody around him. Brock Purdy just got better."
Griffin played in Shanahan's offense in Washington, so he knows how a wide receiver will benefit from the system and what skills a wideout needs to succeed.
Stribling had some success in college between his three stops at Washington State, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, catching 216 passes for 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns in 56 games.
In San Francisco, he'll be fighting with Ricky Pearsall to be the team's third option behind Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, so it's unlikely that he'll make the impact that Griffin thinks he will at least as a rookie.
Q&A
Why are the 49ers criticized for their 2026 NFL draft picks?
The 49ers are criticized for reaching on several selections, particularly for their second-round pick, De'Zhaun Stribling, who some believe was taken too early.
What did Robert Griffin III say about De'Zhaun Stribling?
Robert Griffin III praised Stribling as a true deep threat with 4.36 speed, stating he will stretch the field and improve the performance of quarterback Brock Purdy.
Who is De'Zhaun Stribling and what position does he play?
De'Zhaun Stribling is a wide receiver from Ole Miss, selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.