Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Adding another wide receiver appears to be a likely pursuit for the New Orleans Saints in this year’s NFL Draft. However, drafting one in the first round might end up being too rich for the team, depending on what other players end up being available at No. 8.
Should the Saints decide to go a different direction in the opening round, they won’t be without options at wideout later. One of the late draft risers that will likely be on their radar is Ole Miss receiver De’Zhaun Stribling.
The big-bodied wideout has some explosive traits, invaluable experience and could play a role in New Orleans unique to its current wide receiver room makeup.
Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling
Age: 23
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 207 pounds
Arm length: 31 ⅝ inches
Hand size: 10 inches
Combine Testing
40-yard dash: 4.36 seconds
Vertical: 36 inches
Broad jump: 10-foot-7
3-cone: 6.99 seconds
Short shuttle: 4.36
RAS: 9.56
De’Zhaun Stribling made himself some money in the College Football Playoff
Reliable hands, GREAT blocker, physical, dangerous vertically and after the catch pic.twitter.com/trOYTpGn9D
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 13, 2026
Stribling could be the team’s next X-receiver, lining up on the outside for the majority of his snaps on the weakside and running routes at all three levels. New Orleans would also be able to move him inside to the slot in certain situations in order to take advantage of mismatches when the opportunities are present.
But unlike a typical X-receiver, Stribling has more than just reliable hands. He has outstanding long speed and is a threat to take the top off of a defense which matches the build of players like Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, who currently head up the position for head coach Kellen Moore.
All three pass-catchers have top-tier speed, insider/outside versatility and secure hands, making them each a threat at every level and deployable from every alignment. Stribling would fit right in as a part of the New Orleans passing threat.
2025 Stats
Receptions: 55
Receiving yards: 811
Touchdown catches: 6
Drop percentage: 1.8%
YAC per reception: 7.3
Yards per reception: 2.15
De’Zhaun Stribling after the catch
This dude is legit pic.twitter.com/Wn9XrAIkYS
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 19, 2026
Pros
- Blazing speed to pair with his X-receiver ability.
- 1.8% drop percentage in 2025, 4% on his career.
- Effective runner after the catch with breakaway speed.
- Sudden and crisp route-runner.
- Competitive toughness is off the charts.
- Very experienced player with 3,008 snaps played over his career.
- Outstanding effort as a blocker.
Opportunities for Growth
- Hasn’t created much separation despite his speed.
- Can be more impactful in contested catch situations.
- Short-area quickness isn’t a strong suit right now.
The Bottom Line
Stribling may be an under the radar prospect, but he would be a strong Day 2 swing by the Saints in an attempt to take their receiving room to the next level. Good wideouts aren’t limited to the first round. In fact, many come out of the second and third days of the draft. That’s a principle the Saints know well, previously hitting mid- to late-round home runs at the position outside of the draft’s opening night.
A promising combination of height, weight, speed, experience and competitive toughness, Stribling has what it takes to transition to the pros and maintain his upward ascension. If added to the Saints’ offense, which is pioneered by a young, promising quarterback like Tyler Shough and has a great supporting cast building up along the skill positions, he could bring immediate impact as the next piece to the team’s puzzle.
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