Every year, a handful of players with real fantasy potential stand out during the first real game action of the year. Often, these occurrences are more signal than noise. But when players have potentially big roles in explosive offenses or significant contingent value, we have to pay attention.
De’Zhaun Stribling: WR – 49ers
Stribling was a 5-year player in college and was typically good, but not great. He hit two 800-yard seasons at Ole Miss before being picked with the first selection of the 2nd round of this year’s draft. Many draft and fantasy analysts considered this a reach, but a plus athlete handpicked by one of the best offensive minds in football has to command attention (per PlayerProfiler):
But in the preseason, Stribling has been arguably the biggest breakout star in the NFL. He had 7 catches for 63 yards in the first half in Preseason Week 1 before being targeted 5 times in the 1st quarter (4 from Brock Purdy) in Week 2. This target dominance put him in rarified air:
This is especially significant considering the current state of the 49ers receiving corps:
- Ricky Pearsall: Out for the season
- Mike Evans: Multiple groin injuries already during training camp, 33 years old
- Deebo Samuel: signed off the street, 30 years old with horrible 2025 metrics
- George Kittle: 6 months removed from a torn Achilles, 32 years old
If these trends hold up (and it’s possible considering their ages), Stribling is in line for a far more major role than anyone anticipated. Considering the recent success of guys like Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings in this offense, Stribling can really pay off at his current 8th/9th round turn price.
Mike Washington Jr.: RB – Raiders
Washington Jr. got off to a very slow start in college, but finally broke through later in his college career at Arkansas. His underlying metrics were poor, however, and he slid to Day 3 of the NFL draft. One thing that cannot be denied, however, is his speed:
A 100th-percentile speed score is worth considering for running backs, and he has shown that explosion several times in the preseason:
He also is the leader in yards after contact, and appears to have worked himself into some sort of regular role per head coach Klint Kubiak:
“I think that they’re both going to prepare to play a lot of football. As these games unfold, you react to the game. I think we’ve got two guys that we’re really excited about.”
Indeed, beat reporter Ryan McFadden believes that Washington “has changed the staff’s perspective of the running back room.”
Over the summer, Jeanty was being described as the bellcow, and while he’s still obviously the alpha, McFadden believes it will be more of a 1-2 punch than anyone had previously anticipated.
Especially considering the mystery behind Ashton Jeanty’s ankle sprain (which may or may not cost him time in the early part of the season), Washington Jr. becomes an incredibly interesting click in the 10th round with massive contingent value.
Make sure to check out the video of his 53-yard run here.
