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The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.
If there is a Green Bay Packers wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft, it is De'Zhaun Stribling. The Ole Miss wide receiver checks in at No. 21 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A former three-star recruit, Stribling started his collegiate career at Washington State and recorded 44 receptions for 471 yards and five touchdowns during his first season with the Cougars. The following season, in 2022, Stribling recorded 51 receptions for 602 yards and five touchdowns.
Stribling transferred to Oklahoma State for the 2023 season and recorded 14 receptions for 198 yards and one touchdown in four games before suffering a season-ending wrist injury. The following season, Stribling recorded 52 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns.
Stribling transferred to Ole Miss for the 2025 season and recorded 55 receptions for 811 yards and led the Rebels with six receiving touchdowns.
Stribling checks the boxes with his size (6-2, 207 pounds) and athleticism. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he clocked a 4.36 40-yard dash. The Ole Miss product has the speed to win vertically and he utilizes his long strides to chew up grass. He wins off the line of scrimmage with an NFL-ready accelerator. His ability to win vertically, helps open things up for him underneath as cornerbacks have to respect his speed.
His route tree wasn’t diverse at Ole Miss and will need to grow more branches. He does a good job of finding the soft spots in zone coverage and makes himself available to the quarterback.
The Ole Miss wide receiver has strong, reliable hands. Stribling is comfortable making catches in traffic. He had outstanding body control and does an excellent job of tracking deep balls. He was tagged with just one drop this past season on 74 targets.
"Stribling is not a natural separator but he’s got vertical speed ability that threatens defensive backs and allows him to create cushion at the catch point," Devin Jackson, an NFL Draft writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, said. "A large portion of his routes though were ran on a vertical plane."
If the first defender misses when Stribling catches the ball, he could be off to the races. He has the burst to bull away from defenders. He uses his long strides to quickly hit top speed and rack up yards after the catch. According to Pro Football Focus, Stribling racked up 400 yards after the catch this past season and averaged 7.3 yards after the catch per reception.
"He’s got natural stop and start ability and can create after the catch with his speed and elusiveness," Jackson said. "He’s also got some physicality to him that allows him to fight for extra yards."
Stribling gives good effort as a blocker out on the perimeter. With his frame, he has the ability to wall off defensive backs to help spring explosive runs.
A year after taking Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third round, the Packers don't have a pressing need at wide receiver.
A look under the microscope and wide receiver could become a bit of a problem in 2027. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are all entering contract years.
Watson is a safe bet to earn an extension this offseason. The futures of Reed and Wicks are a little murkier, especially with Wicks being floated around as a potential trade candidate.
The Packers could look to get out in front of a potential shortage at wide receiver by adding one in the upcoming draft. With his size, athleticism and YAC ability, Stribling certainly checks the boxes for the Packers.
"Stribling wins vertically from multiple alignments," Jackson said. "He is a solid route runner but not someone who will be a high-level separator in the NFL. He has power-slot ability who can be a nice WR3 option at the NFL level."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 21, Ole Miss WR De'Zhaun Stribling
Continue reading...
If there is a Green Bay Packers wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft, it is De'Zhaun Stribling. The Ole Miss wide receiver checks in at No. 21 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A former three-star recruit, Stribling started his collegiate career at Washington State and recorded 44 receptions for 471 yards and five touchdowns during his first season with the Cougars. The following season, in 2022, Stribling recorded 51 receptions for 602 yards and five touchdowns.
Stribling transferred to Oklahoma State for the 2023 season and recorded 14 receptions for 198 yards and one touchdown in four games before suffering a season-ending wrist injury. The following season, Stribling recorded 52 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns.
Stribling transferred to Ole Miss for the 2025 season and recorded 55 receptions for 811 yards and led the Rebels with six receiving touchdowns.
Stribling checks the boxes with his size (6-2, 207 pounds) and athleticism. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he clocked a 4.36 40-yard dash. The Ole Miss product has the speed to win vertically and he utilizes his long strides to chew up grass. He wins off the line of scrimmage with an NFL-ready accelerator. His ability to win vertically, helps open things up for him underneath as cornerbacks have to respect his speed.
His route tree wasn’t diverse at Ole Miss and will need to grow more branches. He does a good job of finding the soft spots in zone coverage and makes himself available to the quarterback.
The Ole Miss wide receiver has strong, reliable hands. Stribling is comfortable making catches in traffic. He had outstanding body control and does an excellent job of tracking deep balls. He was tagged with just one drop this past season on 74 targets.
"Stribling is not a natural separator but he’s got vertical speed ability that threatens defensive backs and allows him to create cushion at the catch point," Devin Jackson, an NFL Draft writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, said. "A large portion of his routes though were ran on a vertical plane."
If the first defender misses when Stribling catches the ball, he could be off to the races. He has the burst to bull away from defenders. He uses his long strides to quickly hit top speed and rack up yards after the catch. According to Pro Football Focus, Stribling racked up 400 yards after the catch this past season and averaged 7.3 yards after the catch per reception.
"He’s got natural stop and start ability and can create after the catch with his speed and elusiveness," Jackson said. "He’s also got some physicality to him that allows him to fight for extra yards."
Stribling gives good effort as a blocker out on the perimeter. With his frame, he has the ability to wall off defensive backs to help spring explosive runs.
Fit with the Packers
A year after taking Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third round, the Packers don't have a pressing need at wide receiver.
A look under the microscope and wide receiver could become a bit of a problem in 2027. Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are all entering contract years.
Watson is a safe bet to earn an extension this offseason. The futures of Reed and Wicks are a little murkier, especially with Wicks being floated around as a potential trade candidate.
The Packers could look to get out in front of a potential shortage at wide receiver by adding one in the upcoming draft. With his size, athleticism and YAC ability, Stribling certainly checks the boxes for the Packers.
"Stribling wins vertically from multiple alignments," Jackson said. "He is a solid route runner but not someone who will be a high-level separator in the NFL. He has power-slot ability who can be a nice WR3 option at the NFL level."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 21, Ole Miss WR De'Zhaun Stribling
Continue reading...
