49ers rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling is making a positive early impression on a very important teammate.
Stribling joined the 49ers with the top pick of the second round and the selection drew some negative reviews because of who else was available at that point in the draft. Stribling can’t do anything to change the initial response, but the long-term opinion of the choice will be shaped by what the receiver does now and quarterback Brock Purdy thinks Stribling is going to make an impact.
“Dude is a baller, and I mean that,” Purdy said on KNBR, via 49ersWebzone.com. “It’s hard to say that for a rookie, right off the jump, but just seeing him run routes, going up against defenders in OTAs and then in camp yesterday. He’s a great route runner. He’s smart. He’s learned the playbook really quick, which is awesome. And then, on top of that, you can see his strength, too. When he’s going up against guys and creating separation, I’m like, ‘Alright, this guy’s a strong receiver.’ And so, I’m excited to see what he does, but all of us, all the quarterbacks in the room, were like, ‘Alright, this guy’s going to be a guy that’s going to come in and play.’”
The 49ers also signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk to go with Ricky Pearsall, so there’s a lot to sort out when it comes to doling out playing time for the regular season. The three veteran wideouts have had injury issues, however, and that could make the rookie an important piece of the puzzle right away.
