Buccaneers’ latest top-30 visit is with a Mike Evans replacement that would make sense on Day 2 of the NFL Draft
De’Zhaun Stribling is an intriguing “X” receiver.
The first wave of free agency is over and while there’s still room to work with, it’s now time to really start focusing on the NFL Draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are doing just that, as the franchise is kicking off its top-30 visits. For those unaware, NFL teams can fly out 30 prospects of their choosing in order to meet them for a formal interview. These visits are often strong indicators of a team’s interest in a player or players.
However, just because a team doesn’t visit with a player doesn’t mean their off the board. Remember, the Buccaneers didn’t hold a top-30 visit with Calijah Kancey before taking him with the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Bucs felt like they got enough interaction with Kancey at the combine, thus leaving a visit open for another player.
Regardless, the Buccaneers have set up their third top-30 visit of the offseason, so far, with former Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver, De’Zhaun Stribling.
De’Zhaun Stribling is a prototypical X receiver who can fill Mike Evans’ role
Before we jump into this, let me be clear: We are simply talking about filling Evans’ role, here, not replacing him. No one can ever replace Mike Evans in the sense of who he is actually is, but his role can certainly be replaced and frankly, it has to, because that’s just football works. Teams need a big-bodied, well-rounded X receiver if they want to have an effective offense.
Regardless, Stribling clocks in at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds and runs a 4.36 forty. He’s got the size and speed to win on the outside and he also showed excellent burst via his 127″ broad jump.
De’Zhaun Stribling combine measurements (percentile)
- Height: 6021 (73%)
- Weight: 207 lbs (64%)
- Arm length: 31-5/8″ (42%)
- Hand size: 10″ (87%)
- 10-yard split: 1.53 seconds (65%)
- 40-yard dash: 4.36 seconds (91%)
- Vertical: 36″ (55%)
- Broad jump: 127″ (82%)
Obviously, Stribling’s vertical wasn’t very impressive, but his combination of size, speed, and hand-eye coordination help him high-point balls and reel them in at an efficient clip. The long strider can also work all three levels of the field, while showing prowess in vertical stems and tracking the ball downfield.
Stribling is widely regarded as a Day 2 pick, most likely going in Round 3. That would be a pretty sizable investment for a Buccaneers team that still has plenty of holes on defense and is in need of depth along the interior of the offensive line, however, the Bucs need a true “X” in order to raise the passing game’s ceiling and Stribling is a guy who can step in and play Day 1.