Late-round steals are always a burning topic going into fantasy football season, and ahead of this year's draft there is one rookie wide receiver who is making a name for himself
De'Zhaun Stribling #15 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass
49ers rookie De'Zhaun Stribling has emerged as a late-round sleeper in fantasy football(Image: Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images)
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One NFL rookie wide receiver is rising on fantasy football draft boards as the 2026 season approaches.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling has been catching the eye of fantasy football managers ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
For those seeking late-round value in their fantasy drafts, ‘The Flyin’ Hawaiian’ – a nickname he earned for attending high school in Hawaii – has emerged as one of the best options thanks to some strong performances in training camp and preseason and his potential role in San Francisco’s offense.
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Stribling, who the 49ers selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is currently expected to land somewhere around the 12th round of most fantasy football drafts, but he could get scooped up even sooner if his stock continues to rise.
On ESPN Fantasy, Stribling is currently among the top-10 wide receivers whose ADP (average draft position) has risen more than two spots in the past week.
De'Zhaun Stribling #15 of the San Francisco 49ers in preseason
Stribling has impressed his coaches and teammates in preseason(Image: Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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The reason is simple – Stribling has impressed his coaches and teammates so far in training camp and preseason and will be needed to step up in a 49ers offense that is partially devoid of healthy options.
While reports indicate All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who is coming off a torn Achilles, will be healthy enough for San Francisco’s Week 1 opener in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams, fellow wideout Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, and offseason addition Mike Evans is nursing a minor quadriceps injury.
Even if Evans and Kittle are healthy throughout the season, Stribling could still grow into a major role in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
It seems like quarterback Brock Purdy already trusts his new rookie target, too, telling reporters that Stribling is “a really smart dude” who has “come in and has shown he understands it.”
Through two preseason games, Stribling has 11 receptions for 109 receiving yards.
While those numbers have mostly come while playing with backup QB Mac Jones and no Kittle or Evans on the field, all signs point to Stribling being a legitimate option in the offense come the regular season.
Even if he doesn’t produce right away, which would be asking a lot given San Francisco’s tricky start to the season in Australia against the Super Bowl favorites, he is a solid bet to come good at some point in the regular season.
Picking rookies in fantasy always comes with a risk because we haven’t seen them on an NFL field before, but in Stribling’s case, he seems to be in the right hands.
Shanahan and the 49ers are consistently one of the most creative and productive offenses in the NFL, which bodes well for any of their skill players in fantasy.