Minnesota Vikings are hosting fascinating NFL Draft prospect who would help Kevin O’Connell’s offense immediately

Wide receiver is an underrated need for the MInnesota Vikings, with Tai Felton set to be the WR3 this year. They are hosting a fascinating player at TCO Performance Center in Ole Miss’ De’Zhaun Stribling.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (1) catches the ball before being tackled by Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ja'boree Antoine (16) and dropping it during the CFP Fiesta Bowl at the State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling (1) catches the ball before being tackled by Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ja’boree Antoine (16) and dropping it during the CFP Fiesta Bowl at the State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Ariz., on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. Lauren Witte/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When the Minnesota Vikings have targeted a wide receiver under head coach Kevin O’Connell, they have gone after two profiles:

  • Fast receivers who they hope to develop into plus-route runners
  • Well-rounded receivers from the jump in the same archetype as Justin Jefferson

On Thursday, the Vikings are hosting a receiver in the first archetype, with De’Zhaun Stribling of the Ole Miss Rebels on a top-30 visit.

Minnesota Vikings hosting De’Zhaun Stribling on top-30 visit

Stribling is an interesting prospect. A fifth-year senior, Stribling started his career at Washington State, thriving in 2022 with Cam Ward as his starting quarterback. He transferred to Oklahoma State and spent two seasons there. He suffered a wrist injury in 2023, but bounced back with nearly 900 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. He was just as productive in 2025 with the Rebels in a vertical offense.

Stribling’s ability to take advantage of cornerbacks with his speed is what separates him from other players in the class. He understands how to threaten vertically to snap off routes and create extra space.

While the speed and understanding of how to maximize it are great, Stribling isn’t a complete player. He isn’t consistent enough with his route running. He isn’t the most fluid mover, and he struggles to sink his hips when making his breaks. There are a lot of technique issues to work through, but wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell can help him get there.

Stribling, being a fifth-year senior, gives him more experience than other players potentially available on day two/early day three. That could come in handy for a Vikings team that needs players to come in right away and compete. They have to win now.

Where would the Vikings take him? Round three feels like the sweet spot to take him, and with picks at both 82 and 97, it would work out well for them.

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