According to EssentiallySports Tony Pauline, the Indianapolis Colts are projected to select wideout De’Zhaun Stribling out of Mississippi with the 47th overall pick in his final 2026 NFL Mock Draft:
47- Indianapolis Colts: De’Zhaun Stribling/WR/Mississippi
Regarding Stribling, the 6,‘2” and 1/8th and 207 pound senior wideout for Ole Miss recorded 55 receptions for 811 total receiving yards (14.7 ypr. avg.) and 6 touchdown receptions during 15 games in 2025—having previously transferred from both Washington State and Oklahoma State respectively.
Long-striding, vertical-access wideout with steady play and production. Stribling has good size and early acceleration to climb over the top of coverage but lacks short-area quickness to gain separation underneath. His downfield ball skills are above average but he struggles to consistently carve out catch space and fight through contested-catch contact for tight-coverage wins. He has legit speed after the catch once he finds open grass. He’s also one of the most competitive run blockers in the WR class. Stribling projects as an immediate WR4 who could eventually work his way into a starting role.
With the Colts trading veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts are in the need of an upgrade on the outside opposite lucratively re-signed lead wide receiver Alec Pierce. After reading Stribling’s draft overview, it’s not hard to see some similarities between the departed Pittman Jr. and him in playing style—although he’s quite a bit faster with a blistering 4.36 forty time, but in turn, sacrifices some size.
…the X-factor with a WR like Stribling – dude has some shock in those mitts!! Will rock some CBs out wide… also willing/efficient as a blocker inside digging out S/LBs. Size, speed, hands, beat press, multiple WR spots, football character… Checks a lot of boxes! pic.twitter.com/pyWmWfKTci
De'Zhaun Stribling #ReceptionPerception Prospect Profile 🔥Some highlights: – 68.4% success rate vs. man coverage– 67.9% success rate vs. press– Strong results at the catch point and as a tackle-breakerStribling is a tough player to deal with in traffic and with the ball… pic.twitter.com/NiTpQL2YjE
Six plays, 101 seconds on Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling — he went on a CFP heater (17-278-1 in 3 gms)! Some shades of Romeo Doubs (Doubs = slightly better routes at Nevada, but same size, similar play style and faster). *save your energy on camera work/production value… pic.twitter.com/B3DK0PVBnx
Earlier this offseason, the Colts did sign veteran wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, but he may be more ideally served as a rotational depth piece among their receiving corps.
Given the obvious positional need and fit, Stribling is certainly a name to watch for the Colts within the 2nd round of this year’s NFL Draft.