Fantasy managers who spent the preseason envisioning rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling running away with an immediate starting job might need to temper their expectations as he is slated to open the year in the slot, while Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel line up outside and in two-receiver sets.

An older prospect (24) who spent five years in college, Stribling was surprisingly taken in the second round of the 2026 NFL draft by the 49ers. Since then, he has gone on to make a lot of noise this pre-season, hauling in 11 passes for 109 yards over the two games he has been active, and flashing the 97th percentile Burst Score that has managers excited for his potential. His August performance combined with Mike Evans missing some practices due to injury has led to a significant rise in his ADP, streaming it from the 150 range, to the sub 110 range. Now with Evans returning to practice and Stribling beginning the year in the slot, seasonal drafters should temper their expectations, at least to for the time being.