Explosive Pass-Catcher Lands on Vikings Draft Board
The Minnesota Vikings could address all kinds of needs in the upcoming draft. Pretty much every position could use an infusion of youth and wide receiver isn’t any different. The club has met with various pass-catchers in the pre-draft process, doing its homework primarily with players who are expected to hear their names called in the mid rounds.
One of those is Ole Miss wideout De’Zhaun Stribling, who’s the latest receiver visiting the Twin Cities for a top-30 visit.
Top NFL reporter Ian Rapoport noted on his social media profile, “Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling is on a Top 30 visit with the #Vikings today, source said, one of his 7 scheduled visits. Stribling had back-to-back 800-yard seasons.”
Stribling is an older prospect (24). He has five years of college experience with stops at Washington State (2021-2022), Oklahoma State (2023-2024) and Ole Miss (2025). His 2023 campaign was cut short due to injury.
Despite the change of scenery entering his final college season, he has displayed remarkable consistency. In his last couple of seasons, he collected 882 and 811 yards, respectively, as well as six touchdowns each year.
Wide receiver could be on Minnesota’s checklist, as WR3 Jalen Nailor dipped in free agency after receiving a lucrative paycheck from the Las Vegas Raiders. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison return as the top options, but the depth will be tested unless more players join in free agency or the draft.
Last year’s rookies, Tai Felton and Myles Price, could be candidates for a promotion after mostly special teams duties in 2025.
Vikings.com’s Rob Kleifield recently wrote about them, “A couple of 2025 rookies, Tai Felton and Myles Price, are coming off awesome impacts on special teams; the former was a tough matchup as one of the gunners on the punt team; and the latter was super dynamic as a returner, shattering the team’s single-season mark for kickoff/punt return yards … and both men could be in line for bigger roles pending their progress and grasp of the Vikings offense.”
The three wideouts on the roster beyond the 2025 contributors are Jeshaun Jones, Dontae Fleming and Joaquin Davis.
Adding another draftee with the talent to make some noise could make sense. Stribling fits that bill. He’s viewed as a mid-round pick, mostly ranked between spots 100 and 150 on various big boards.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com, sees a future starter in the prospect: “Long-striding, vertical-access wideout with steady play and production. Stribling has good size and early acceleration to climb over the top of coverage but lacks short-area quickness to gain separation underneath.”
Stribling displayed his speed at the scouting combine, when he logged a 4.36 40-yard dash. He also brings a bigger frame into the NFL, measured at 6’2″ and 207 lbs.
“His downfield ball skills are above average,” Zierlein added, “but he struggles to consistently carve out catch space and fight through contested-catch contact for tight-coverage wins. He has legit speed after the catch once he finds open grass. He’s also one of the most competitive run blockers in the WR class. Stribling projects as an immediate WR4 who could eventually work his way into a starting role.”
Kevin O’Connell has targeted fast receivers during his tenure. Nailor’s nickname is literally Speedy, while Felton ran a 4.38 40-yard dash. Addison ran a 4.49, but he has exceptional deep-ball skills.
Stribling could be the fourth receiver picked under his watch.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.