San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is absolutely buzzing about rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling. Purdy, speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, didn’t hold back, saying he’s “obviously really excited about him” and detailing just how much Stribling has impressed through the opening weeks of training camp. This isn’t just a casual nod either, Purdy sees something special unfolding right before the season kicks off.
Brock Purdy’s High Praise for the Rookie WR
When a starting quarterback goes out of his way to praise a rookie, you listen up. Purdy called Stribling a “smart kid” who’s quickly “learned our offense.” He pointed to the reasons the 49ers drafted him in the second round, at No. 33 overall in the 2026 NFL draft: “strong hands, great route runner.” And the best part? Stribling has “shown it and proven it” on the field. Purdy even highlighted the deep receiver room, with guys like Mike, Deebo, and Demarcus Robinson, noting that for Stribling to learn from them and still “show that he’s willing to be in that starting rotation” is huge. He’s absolutely “shown that at camp,” and Purdy confirmed, “We’re all really excited about him.” That’s high praise for a young guy still finding his footing.
Early Production Has Stribling Poised for a Major Role
It’s not just locker room talk; Stribling is putting up numbers. His preseason performance has been incredibly encouraging. Just recently, during San Francisco’s 41-17 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Stribling snagged four of his five targets for 46 yards. That’s efficiency right there. And don’t forget his preseason debut against the Tennessee Titans back on August 14, where he hauled in an impressive seven receptions for 63 yards. With that kind of early production, coupled with Purdy’s outspoken excitement, it’s easy to see why Stribling is quickly emerging as a key piece of the 49ers’ passing attack. He’s not just a training camp standout; he’s looking like a legitimate threat, making him an intriguing option for fantasy football managers who are paying attention.
The 49ers are set to kick off their 2026 campaign against the Los Angeles Rams on September 10. All eyes will be on how much of an impact De’Zhaun Stribling can make when the games really count.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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