Vikings Explore Tall Rookie Playmaker from Ole Miss

Minnesota brings in De'Zhaun Stribling for pre-draft visit, hinting at more WR options in 2026

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:06pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player in mid-air, their body broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant shades of purple, gold, and white, capturing the dynamic motion and energy of a contested catch.A cubist interpretation of a Vikings wide receiver making a contested catch, capturing the dynamic energy and fractured perspectives of the play.Glendale Today

The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly bringing in former Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling for a pre-draft visit, indicating they may be looking to add another tall, athletic pass-catcher to their receiving corps in the upcoming NFL Draft. Stribling, a 6'2" 210-pound wideout, is known for his deep-ball skills and blocking ability, though he'll need to improve his route-running and contested catch skills at the next level.

Why it matters

The Vikings are looking to bolster their receiving options after the departure of Jalen Nailor in free agency, creating a potential need at the WR3 spot. Stribling could provide an intriguing developmental prospect with his size and speed, though the team will need to weigh his upside against the fact that he'll be 24 years old as a rookie.

The details

Stribling had a productive lone season at Ole Miss in 2025, catching 55 passes for 811 yards and 6 touchdowns. Prior to that, he had 50-catch seasons at both Washington State and Oklahoma State. The Vikings are also reportedly meeting with Miami wide receiver CJ Daniels this week as they explore options to complement top targets Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

  • The Vikings are currently stacking pre-draft visits with the 2026 NFL Draft just two weeks away.
  • Stribling had a standout performance in the 2026 Fiesta Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal game against Miami, averaging 92.7 receiving yards in three Playoff games.

The players

De'Zhaun Stribling

A 6'2", 210-pound wide receiver who spent his final college season at Ole Miss after previous stints at Washington State and Oklahoma State. Stribling is known for his deep-ball skills, size, and blocking ability, though he'll need to improve his route-running and contested catch skills at the NFL level.

Tai Felton

A wide receiver drafted by the Vikings in the 3rd round in 2025, who spent most of his rookie season contributing on special teams with limited impact on offense. The Vikings will need to determine if Felton can effectively fill the WR3 role this season or if they need to find an alternative option.

Justin Jefferson

The Vikings' top returning wide receiver, who has emerged as one of the league's elite pass-catchers.

Jordan Addison

Another top receiving threat for the Vikings, who joined the team in free agency after a standout college career.

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What they’re saying

“Stribling isn't the most well-rounded in terms of his route success, but he is a big-bodied athlete with strong ball skills and a pro mindset. He has the talent and competitive toughness to settle into a WR2/3 role for an NFL offense.”

— Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst

“With his tall, muscular frame, Stribling quickly accelerates to his top speed and has quickness out of route breaks, even if he didn't put the most versatile route inventory on film (hitches and go routes accounted for 57 percent of his route frequency in 2025).”

— Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst

What’s next

The Vikings will continue to evaluate Stribling and other wide receiver prospects as they prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, which is just two weeks away. They will need to determine if Stribling or another Day 2 or 3 receiver can fill the void left by Jalen Nailor's departure in free agency and provide depth behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

The takeaway

The Vikings' interest in Stribling highlights their ongoing efforts to bolster their receiving corps and find the right mix of talent and depth to support their passing attack. While Stribling may not be an immediate impact player, his size, speed, and potential upside make him an intriguing developmental prospect worth exploring in the middle rounds of the draft.