Niners rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling did not draw the first two targets from QB Brock Purdy in Thursday night's exhibition game against the Chargers. Those first two passes went toward WR Deebo Samuel, with one completion for 4 yards. But Purdy did target Stribling on his next three attempts and complete all of them. The second-round pick finished the first quarter with 4 catches for 46 yards on 5 targets, snagging his last reception from QB Mac Jones. No other Niner caught more than one ball in the first half.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Beware a Price Spike
We have to note that WR Mike Evans and WR Christian Kirk didn't play in this game. It's also worth noting that San Francisco has incentive to boost the work for its least-experienced wideout.
But this outing followed a 7-63 receiving line on 8 targets in San Francisco's preseason opener. It's clear that the 49ers are serious about involving the rookie wideout.
How early that translates to usable fantasy numbers in the regular season will depend some on Evans' availability, but Thursday night also gave some reason for early caution.
Stribling played just five of Purdy's 10 snaps, trailing WRs Demarcus Robinson (10) and Samuel (eight). The veterans also beat Stribling in routes:
- Robinson 5
- Samuel 5
- Stribling 3
Of course, Stribling drawing targets on all three of those routes looks especially good vs. Samuel's 2 targets and none for Robinson.
The non-stop buzz around Stribling this summer runs the risk of pushing his ADP up too high in these late weeks of draft season. But he makes sense anywhere in the double-digit rounds.
Target the 49ers rookie as a fantasy reserve with a shot at becoming your WR3. If you have to draft him higher than that, consider letting him go.
