San Francisco’s rookie wide receiver could make the critics regret everything.

Much has been made about the San Francisco 49ers’ selection of former Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling in the 2026 NFL Draft. Taking him at the top of the second round left many flabbergasted, but Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated appears to see the vision.

Doubt surrounding Stribling’s arrival in the Bay Area spiraled. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had to get on the soapbox to defend the controversial move. However, if one of his 100 bold predictions for the upcoming campaign is any indication, Orr isn’t among the skeptics who need convincing.

Orr declared that Stribling will outperform one or more of the five wideouts chosen in Round 1 in April, which would prove San Francisco right.

“Stribling, who went 33rd to San Francisco, will finish higher than at least one first-round pick in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns,” Orr wrote.

De’Zhaun Stribling could make 49ers critics regret everything

Is Orr higher on Stribling than consensus, or lower on the likes of Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion and Omar Cooper Jr.? Perhaps landing spots are a key factor in this daring forecast. Either way, the Niners get some much-needed validation, even though the outside noise doesn’t seem to faze them.

Calling Stribling’s name when San Francisco did has been “weaponized against” general manager John Lynch, as Orr noted. Yet, the 23-year-old could silence the critics by making an immediate impact for a club with Super Bowl aspirations.

If Stribling turns into an “important” asset for a 49ers squad in the playoff mix, like Orr envisions, the “reach” narrative goes out the window. No one’s going to say Lynch and Co. got bad value on a productive, winning player.

For what it’s worth, Stribling was a late riser during the evaluation process, so maybe the Niners were just early to the party. He has the size/speed combo (ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash as a 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect) to be a difference-maker, which the numbers bear out. His strong blocking chops can also help him carve out a meaningful role in more ways than one.

498 collegiate wideouts drew at least 25 targets in 2025, and Stribling was among the bunch. Here’s where he ranked in the following categories, courtesy of Pro Football Focus ($).