De'Zhaun Stribling Bears Draft Visit News Caleb Williams
Getty
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Chicago Bears could be gearing up to add another vertical-threat weapon to their offense for quarterback Caleb Williams in next month’s 2026 NFL draft.
According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, the Bears have scheduled a top 30 visit with former Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who ran the eighth-fastest time in the 40-yard dash (4.37 seconds) among receivers at February’s 2026 NFL Combine.
“Source: Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling has visits set up with both the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots,” Fowler wrote March 19 on X. “Six-foot-two, 207 (pounds), ran 4.37 (seconds) in Indy. Excellent vertical ability with legit juice after the catch.”
Stribling caught 55 passes for 811 yards and a team-high six touchdowns for the Rebels on their march to the semifinal round of the College Football Playoffs, averaging 16.4 yards per reception in their three-game playoff run with 17 catches for 274 yards. He also spent time at Oklahoma State (2023-2024) and Washington State (2021-2022).
The first round of the 2026 NFL draft will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 23.
De’Zhaun Stribling’s Blocking Skills Could Entice Bears
De'Zhaun Stribling Bears Draft Visit News Caleb Williams INSIDE ART
GettyNFL draft prospect and former Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling
Stribling has a solid resume as a swift pass-catcher who showed a knack for turning short catches into long gains in college. According to Pro Football Focus, he also posted an impressive career drop rate of just 4.2% over five collegiate seasons, including a career-low 1.7% drop rate during his redshirt senior season at Ole Miss in 2025.
The blocking skills that Stribling brings to the table sell the Bears on him, though.
Despite his high-end speed, Stribling proved a willing and capable blocker at multiple stops in his college career, blending his quickness with his larger frame (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) to take defenders at all levels out of contention. His blocking competitiveness would fit nicely into Ben Johnson’s offense, which heavily relies on pass-catcher blocks.
Here is what NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote about Stribling:
“He has legit speed after the catch once he finds open grass,” Zierlein wrote in his draft profile. “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.”
Bears Could Stand to Add At Least 1 WR in 2026 Draft
Whether Stribling makes the list for the Bears remains to be seen, but there would be a fair amount of logic in them trying to add at least one wide receiver in the 2026 draft.
While the Bears passed the torch to their young receiving trio — wideouts Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland — when they traded DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills, the team could still use more depth. They will return Jahdae Walker (2025 UDFA) and added veteran Kalif Raymond in free agency, but they also allowed veterans Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay to walk out the door to new teams.
A big-name veteran signing would not make much sense with Odunze and Burden in line to receive the largest target shares in 2026, but a rookie pick — even one as early as the second round — could entice the Bears as Johnson continues to work with general manager Ryan Poles to mold the offense and the roster into his staff’s image.
Stribling would present a likely Day 3 option for improving the speed at the position, but the Bears could also consider some of the other speedster receivers in the class, such as Mississippi State’s Brenen Thompson — who ran the fastest 40 time (4.26 seconds) out of every prospect who participated in the drill during the 2026 Combine.