De'Zhaun Stribling to 49ers, Fans React to New WR in 2026 NFL Draft Amid Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors

The San Francisco 49ers kicked off the second round of the NFL draft on Friday by selecting Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 overall pick.

The pick also should generate interest in the wrestling world thanks to Stribling's family history:

The 49ers initially held the No. 27 overall choice in the first round. However, they traded Nos. 27 and 138 to the Miami Dolphins for Nos. 30 and 90. Then San Francisco dealt No. 30 to the New York Jets for Nos. 33 and 179. Now the 49ers have finally made their first draft pick.

Stribling is a key piece as the 49ers make big changes at wide receiver. General manager John Lynch told reporters wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has played his last down with the 49ers, and he also amicably parted ways in the media with now free agent wideout Jauan Jannings, telling reporters at the league meetings:

"He'll find a good home, and Jauan will go play great football for someone. I can't say enough for what that guy did; when that guy stepped between the lines, man, he was a presence, and they had to deal with him, and he won us a lot of games."

Here's a look at how fans and analysts reacted to the 49ers' draft choice.

After the choice, San Francisco holds seven more picks in this year's draft: two second-rounders (Nos. 33 and 58), one third-rounder (No. 90), four fourth-rounders (No. 127, No. 133, No. 138, No. 139) and a fifth-rounder (No. 179).