2026 NFL Draft: De’Zhaun Stribling Emerges as Key Wide Receiver Prospect for New Orleans Saints
POLICY WIRE — New Orleans, Louisiana — As the New Orleans Saints prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, the wide receiver position is widely identified as a critical area requiring reinforcement. Analysts...
POLICY WIRE — New Orleans, Louisiana — As the New Orleans Saints prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, the wide receiver position is widely identified as a critical area requiring reinforcement.
Analysts widely anticipate the Saints will prioritize a receiver selection within the initial two days of the draft, with some speculating they could even acquire a pair of pass-catchers. In such a scenario, attention is turning to Mississippi Rebels standout De’Zhaun Stribling, who is projected as a potential target for New Orleans on either Day 2 or early Day 3.
Chris Olave, a current Saints wideout, is fresh off his most productive professional season and is widely expected to secure a contract extension this offseason. However, the receiving corps faces significant uncertainties beyond Olave‘s established presence. While Devaughn Vele and Ja’Lynn Polk are contenders, their NFL experience remains limited. The remaining depth chart primarily consists of players with marginal prior NFL production, often cycling between practice squads and roster spots.
Despite a robust 2026 NFL Draft class of receivers, Stribling has remained somewhat under the radar, yet possesses the immediate playmaking ability to significantly contribute to a professional franchise.
De’Zhaun Stribling Player Profile
- Position: Wide Receiver
- College: Mississippi Rebels (Ole Miss)
- Height: 6-feet, 2 inches
- Weight: 207 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.36 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.53 seconds
- Vertical jump: 36″
- Broad jump: 10’7″
Born from a three-star recruit status at Kapolei High School in Hawaii, Stribling commenced his collegiate journey with the Washington State Cougars. During his redshirt freshman year in 2021, he accumulated 44 receptions for 471 yards and five touchdowns. In 2022, playing alongside future top overall draft pick Cam Ward, Stribling led the Cougars in receiving, securing 51 catches for 602 yards and five scores.
Following that impressive season, he entered the transfer portal, ultimately joining the Oklahoma State Cowboys. A hand injury limited his participation to just four games during the 2023 season. He showcased a strong rebound in 2024 within the Cowboys‘ expansive offensive scheme, leading the squad with 882 aerial yards on 52 catches and six touchdowns. Subsequently, he transferred to the Mississippi Rebels.
Stribling played a pivotal role in the Ole Miss offense and their push for a College Football Playoff appearance. He finished the season with 55 receptions for 811 yards, also leading the team with five receiving touchdowns.
Scouting Report: Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Excellent combination of size and speed.
- Executes crisp routes with sharp breaks.
- Demonstrates strong acceleration into routes.
- Adept at making read adjustments against various coverages.
- Extends effectively to make catches outside his natural frame.
- Generates downfield separation using burst and a long stride.
Weaknesses:
- Inconsistent in making contested catches in traffic.
- Lacks elite quickness for immediate separation off the line.
- Needs to develop more physicality to effectively combat press coverage.
- Could be more aggressive in finding open zones.
2026 NFL Draft Outlook
Projections for De’Zhaun Stribling in the 2026 NFL Draft exhibit a wide range, spanning from a second-round pick to an early Day 3 selection. Despite a lack of extensive national recognition, Stribling is considered a versatile talent capable of contributing to an offensive scheme in numerous capacities. While he could benefit from additional strength and improved techniques against press coverage, his demonstrated ability to make plays across all three levels of the field is undeniable.
The New Orleans Saints are in urgent need of additional playmakers to support quarterback Tyler Shough. This aligns with broader strategies seen across the league for the upcoming draft.
Regardless of his draft position, Stribling is expected to quickly establish himself as a productive third receiver and potentially develop into a quality number two option for the Saints in due course.
