San Francisco 49ers sign WR De'Zhaun Stribling

De'Zhaun Stribling's signing earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI), a grade that reflects the inherent uncertainty baked into rookie receiver contracts rather than a knock on his upside. As a newly drafted wideout entering the league, Stribling arrives without an established NFL production tier — his value proposition is entirely projection-based, which is the defining characteristic of any fourth-round-or-later caliber signing at this position. At a $3.3M AAV across four years with a $13.4M total commitment, the contract sits squarely within standard rookie slotting, meaning the 49ers carry minimal cap risk if he fails to develop and limited upside leverage if he blossoms into something more. The CVI lands at C+ rather than higher because the gap between cost and confirmed production value is still wide — this is a bet on developmental trajectory, not a verified return on investment. His selection for the NFLPA Rookie Premiere is a modest positive signal, suggesting some industry buzz around his tools, but that narrative backdrop does nothing to move the needle on actual on-field value yet. Four years of team control is the real asset here — if Stribling develops into a above-average contributor, San Francisco holds him at below-market rates through his prime developmental window. For now, this grades as a roster-depth move with legitimate upside optionality, not a needle-mover for the franchise.