2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – Ole Miss)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: De’Zhaun Stribling

De’Zhaun Stribling (WR – Ole Miss)

6’2″ – 200 lbs.

Background

Hawaii native and three-star recruit who originally attended Washington State. Caught 44-471-5 (10.7) for the Cougars in 2021, and 51-602-5 (11.8) in 2022. Transferred to Oklahoma State and caught 14 passes before sustaining a season-ending hand injury, then rebounded with 52-882-6 (17.0). Went to Ole Miss for his final season and posted 55-811-6 (14.7) to conclude his collegiate career.

Positives

Productive four-year contributor between three different programs. A bigger receiver, but who played a lot of flanker this past year, and takes lots of snaps out of the slot as well. Gets off the line pretty well against press, with good quickness. Burst and suddenness are more impressive than you’d think given his bigger build. Snaps off routes at the stem to create separation. Provides a pretty wide radius, and does a nice job of controlling his body to adjust to off-target throws, with the ability to bring in passes away from his frame. Has had a reliable pair of hands throughout his career, with just nine career drops against 216 catches. Powerful runner after the catch who can barrel through smaller defenders for additional yardage, showing good competitiveness. Acceleration after the catch is also significantly better than anticipated. Does a good job of lining up opponents as a stalker, and works hard through the whistle to stay engaged.

Negatives

Hasn’t been the most high-volume target. Many of his routes come within ten yards or so of the line of scrimmage, and can settle into coverage when working against man. Caught less than half of his career contested catches, which is lower than you’d expect given his bigger frame; four passes he was targeted on were intercepted in 2024. Doesn’t offer a lot of creativity or elusiveness after the catch. Could show more consistent urgency as a stalker, and lacks consistent attention to detail in his positioning. Technique prevents him from maximizing his effectiveness as a blocker.

Summary

A big, galloping receiver who has more explosive traits than anticipated and can bring in throws away from his frame, with pretty solid effort as a blocker. That said, he’s perhaps not the most well-rounded receiver, mostly operating underneath the defense and at times looking bigger than he plays. Shows the ability to create windows for timing-based throws underneath the defense and can be a bulldozer on those concepts, but what we’ve seen so far suggests that he may not be a full-route-tree receiver who contributes a lot of volume. Might be more of a mid-round option favored by teams that prioritize blocking at the receiver position.

Projection: Round 5-6