The San Francisco 49ers had multiple opportunities to add a player in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, but they ultimately decided to trade out completely and take Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling with the first pick on Day 2.
Stribling joins the 49ers after splitting his collegiate career between Washington State, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss, where he caught 216 passes for 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns in 56 games over five seasons.
Entering the NFL, Stribling knows the physical presence that he’ll have to play with if he wants to make an impact, especially in his rookie season.
“Yeah, I feel like there’s a time and place for everything,” Stribling said in a social video that the team released this week. “Mentally, I like to be able to be calm and have inner peace with myself, but on the football field, there is no peace.”
The rookie isn’t ready to rest on his laurels after being San Francisco’s top pick in this year’s draft. In fact, he wants so much more for himself, both off the field and on it.
“What motivates me is kind of seeing where I was three years ago, five years ago and even a month ago,” Stribling said. “I’m just trying to excel myself and push myself to be the best version that I can be as a man but also as a football player.”
The 49ers could benefit from having more players practicing and preparing this way. That’s how players take the next step and help the team win games and find success long term.
More 49ers: How the 49ers were one of the luckiest teams ever last season
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers rookie drops fantastic line about how he has to play in the NFL
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
