Why the 49ers didn't trade down again before drafting De'Zhaun Stribling

The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2026 NFL Draft holding the No. 27 overall pick. After the prospects they were targeting came off the board, the team traded back to the No. 30 spot.

At that spot, the 49ers were prepared to select former Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling. Instead, they chose to take another calculated risk—trading out of the first round entirely and moving to No. 33, the first pick of Day 2.

The gamble paid off. San Francisco added draft capital, and Stribling remained available. But that was as far as the team was willing to push its luck.

Stribling's draft stock had been trending upward in the weeks leading up to the draft, and the 49ers were well aware. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer noted that he realized Stribling's popularity was soaring because few coaches brought up his name during pre-draft conversations.

Internally, Breer estimated that San Francisco likely viewed Stribling as a late second- or early third-round talent.

There was also concern that another team could step in. Breer thought that the Tennessee Titans might select him at No. 35. Of course, that was before the team passed on linebacker Arvell Reese at No. 4 in favor of wide receiver Carnell Tate.

Meanwhile, the 49ers were becoming enamored with Stribling.

"They saw a big receiver who ran 4.36 at the combine," Breer wrote. "They saw a player who came on late, starring in the playoffs, and talked to ex-Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who conceded he was late to the party on Stribling, which limited him a bit early in the year, and that his offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis Jr., saw a special talent right away.

"They then went back deeper into his tape from Oklahoma State and saw more in-breaking routes, and Washington State, where they saw him star in the screen game. A more complete picture was coalescing."

Stribling ultimately fit what head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense needed following an offseason reshaping of the wide receiver room, which included the departures of Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne and the additions of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.

After moving down twice, the 49ers were ready to take action.

"The Niners had gotten themselves to a point where they didn't want to lose Stribling at 33," Breer said. "Every year, they designate certain prospects who check every box from an athletic, football, and character standpoint as 'gold helmet' players. This year, they had 16 gold helmets, and Stribling was one of them. In addition, Shanahan's vision for Stribling in his offense was crystal clear, both in the short and the long term."

Despite many labeling the pick as a reach, the growing league-wide interest in Stribling forced San Francisco's hand. Rather than risk missing out by trading down again, the 49ers secured a player they clearly valued.

As Breer summarized, "Time will tell whether Stribling is a reach. For now, I know the Niners feel pretty good about getting him."