The San Francisco 49ers made waves in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft, selecting wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the 33rd overall pick. Now, an insider is drawing comparisons between the rookie and a proven Super Bowl champion, sparking excitement among the faithful.

At 23 years old, Stribling brings a wealth of college experience, having played 56 games across three programs: Washington State, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss. His stat line is impressive—216 catches for 2,964 yards and 23 touchdowns. Despite initial criticism from draft experts who felt the 49ers reached for him, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler sees a bright future, likening Stribling to a familiar face in the NFL.

"Mike Evans might look across the formation and see a player who reminds him of his old running mate in Tampa Bay, Chris Godwin Jr.," Fowler wrote. He highlighted striking similarities between Stribling and Godwin coming out of college: weight (207 to 209 pounds), 40-yard dash time (4.36 to 4.42 seconds), vertical jump (both 36 inches), and broad jump (10 feet 7 inches to 10 feet 6 inches). Fowler added, "Brock Purdy won't complain about that pairing, with Stribling's ability to separate over the middle a nice complement to Evans' vertical threat."

For context, Chris Godwin entered the league as a third-round pick in 2017 and has since amassed 612 receptions for 7,626 yards and 41 touchdowns, all with the Buccaneers. He signed a three-year, $66 million extension in 2025, cementing his status as a top-tier receiver. If Stribling can mirror that production, the 49ers will have a steal on their hands—and plenty of critics may need to reconsider their initial takes.

With this comparison, San Francisco fans have every reason to be optimistic about their new weapon, especially as he pairs with veteran Mike Evans to create a dynamic receiving corps.