49ers open Day 2 by adding a player who will test Rams rebuilt secondary

The Los Angeles Rams hoped to turn the fans' frowns upside down with a much more popular showing on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Fans continue to fume over the selection of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. despite the need for a successor to Matthew Stafford. But a strong showing in Rounds 2 and 3 could do wonders for the confused fan base.

To that end, we published a Rams Mock Draft that resulted in Mississippi wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling and Iowa State nose tackle Domonique Orange as the rookie haul. Well, the San Francisco 49ers must have been reading, because they jumped on Stribling with the first pick of Day 2.

Stribling was projected to fall to late Round 2. Unfortunately, draft boards are all over the place, and there is little consensus as to the value of any rookie from here on out. It's not that the draft is bereft of talent. It's more akin to the Baskin-Robbins effect. There are simply so many choices to make between players of relatively similar value that it's open season for anyone.

Rams have to be eyeing wide receivers at some point

While the LA Rams had no problem scoring points in 2025, the wide receiver room has been depleted of sorts. In 2025, the team lost Cooper Kupp, Demarcus Robinson, and Tyler Johnson, while adding Davante Adams and Konata Mumpfield. In 2026, the roster lost Tutu Atwell.

With four receivers outbound and only two receivers inbound, general manager Les Snead knows he has to find reinforcements

Stribling was made of Rams stuff. He is a passionate wide receiver who loves to block. Like it or not, any wide receiver who willingly takes up the dirty work is a player this team loves to add to its roster. Did former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris have a hand in that selection?

The 49ers made their first selection of 2026 in Round 2. After losing plenty of veterans to free agency, the 49ers are eager to restock the roster. I hate to admit it, but Mississippi WR De'Zhaun Stribling is a good one. Will he be an instant impact player? That's difficult to say. But in terms of his skill set, he would have made a great pickup for Los Angeles.

As always, thanks for reading.

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