Ole Miss De'Zhaun Stribling made sure the NFL scouts knew them before he exited Indianapolis.
His 8th fastest 40-yard dash at 4.32 accelerated his draft climb as two NFL heavyweights, the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots, have both scheduled visits with the Rebels' WR before the NFL Draft next month.
Bears and Patriots circling De'Zhaun Stribling
"Source: Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling has visits set up with both the Chicago Bears & New England Patriots. 6’2”, 207 ran 4.36 in Indy. Excellent vertical ability with legit juice after the catch," Ryan Fowler reported.
Who snags the sleeper star earlier would decide who ends up with him. Patriots need a receiver with an X-factor like Stribling's size and early acceleration to climb over the top of coverage to give Drake Maye the targets he needs to pump up the production.
Stribling's 6'2", 207-pound frame makes him the perfect wideout for winning vertically and handling physical press coverage at he same time. He could be the physical bully New England desperately needs outside Stefon Diggs.
The chances of Stribling getting a WR1 position with a bit of practice look higher with the Patriots rather than the Bears.
Caleb Williams is already throwing to Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and the newly added Luther Burden III, so Stribling would most likely come in as WR4. But he could definitely be that vertical threat, adding speed and physicality to Bears' already elite wideout room.
While Chicago would love to snag Stribling at No. 129, his rising stock means the Patriots might have to spend a Day 2 pick (No. 63 or No. 95) just to keep him off the board.