After trading back twice on Thursday night to move out of the first round entirely, the San Francisco 49ers finally got on the board in the 2026 NFL Draft with the first pick of Round 2 on Friday, taking Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling.
Stribling, who was Dane Brugler’s 67th-ranked player and 11th-ranked wide receiver, had 55 catches for 811 yards and six touchdowns with only one drop for the Rebels in 2025. He spent his first two seasons at Washington State and two more at Oklahoma State before one season at Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder has the short-area quickness, yards-after-the catch ability and run-blocking toughness that coach Kyle Shanahan craves.
Meanwhile, shortly after taking Stribling, the 49ers traded linebacker Dee Winters to the Dallas Cowboys for pick No. 152. Winters, who is entering the final year of his contract, apparently became expendable after the Niners brought back Dre Greenlaw in free agency.
The 49ers made yet another trade later in Round 2, sending the fifth-round pick from Dallas with No. 58 to the Cleveland Browns for Nos. 70 and 107. After that trade, they selected Texas Tech pass rusher Romello Height at No. 70, addressing one of the team’s biggest needs.
After those four in-draft trades, the 49ers have a total of eight picks in the draft after entering with only six.
Late in Round 3 with the No. 90 pick, the Niners added Indiana running back Kaelon Black, wrapping up their three selections on Friday.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for grades and analysis of each 49ers pick.
Round 1
No picks
Round 2No. 33 (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole MissHow he fits
Stribling (6-2, 207) blazed to a 4.36 40 time at the combine, and he has the potential to fill the speedster role vacated by Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. But after posting an NFL-low 20 sacks last year (mostly because of a pair of ACL tears), the 49ers should have looked to edge. That’s not a knock on Stribling, who caught 216 passes for 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns over five different seasons for three different schools. But the 49ers won’t compete for the Super Bowl without a better pass rush. — Scott Dochterman
Dane Brugler’s analysis
With his tall, muscular frame, Stribling quickly accelerates to his top speed and has quickness out of route breaks, even if he didn’t put the most versatile route inventory on film (hitches and go routes accounted for 57 percent of his route frequency in 2025). He has dependable hands (1.9 percent drop rate in 2025) and plays strong to the football, but needs to do a better job with his positioning downfield to finish tight-window throws. His smarts and willingness to do the dirty work are coach-pleasing qualities.
Matt Barrows’ analysisFantasy impact
Stribling would have seen top 30 upside if not for the signing of Mike Evans. As long as Ricky Pearsall stays healthy, Stribling is the No. 3 WR with WR5 value. Even if George Kittle (Achilles) is out to start the season, Stribling is more of an interest for 2027 and beyond. He’s a second-rounder in dynasty, but if the 49ers lost two options to injury — wouldn’t be the first time — Stribling could be a boom/bust WR3 in redraft. — Jake Ciely
Grade: CRound 3No. 70 (from Browns): Romello Height, edge, Texas TechHow he fits
A high-motor pass rusher with great burst and quick feet at 6-3, 239 pounds, Height is a smaller player who wins with his effort and general pass-rush approach. He’ll be an effective player on third down in the NFL. I do have questions about what he can do on first or second down, though. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
On the hoof, Height looks more like a stack linebacker than edge defender, and his measurables fall below NFL thresholds. But keeping him blocked is easier said than done. His combination of initial quickness, sudden feet and active hands helps him slither around roadblocks and close in a flash. He flashes speed to power to put blockers in reverse, although he needs a runway to create enough force. He will be overwhelmed at times in the run game but does offer the versatility to peel off and cover zones or wheel routes.
Vic Tafur’s analysisGrade: B+No. 90 (from Texans via Dolphins): Kaelon Black, RB, IndianaHow he fits
Not a big fan of this. Black was a very effective one-cut back for Curt Cignetti’s Indiana offense, but he was a system player. He’s almost 25, he’s small and there were better running back options on the board for me, including Mike Washington and Emmett Johnson. Even Navy gadget back Eli Heidenreich intrigues me more than Black. — Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
A short, well-built back, Black runs balanced, low to the ground and consistently finds cracks at the line of scrimmage. Instead of gearing down ahead of impending contact, he bursts to accelerate into flat-footed defenders, and his physical run style helps him maximize each touch. Though mashing the gas pedal helps him produce, he could benefit from added patience to eliminate false-stepping cuts.
Matt Barrows’ analysisFantasy impact
Black is notable for two reasons. First, he’s a wobbling Weeble and nice power lead for a backfield. Second, he’s been drafted by the 49ers. Black can contend for backup duty to Christian McCaffrey, which we know can turn into RB2 value if CMC misses time. If Black wins the backup job, he’ll be a redraft late-round pick, and he’s a third-round value in dynasty. — Ciely
Grade: C+Round 4
No. 107 (from Browns)
No. 127
No. 133 (compensatory)
No. 139 (compensatory)
Round 5
No. 179 (compensatory from Jets)
Round 6
No picks
Round 7
No picks