# Eric Crocker: In a mock war-room debate, Crocker argued the 49ers wasted the 33rd overall pick on Dejean Stribling, comparing them to the Trey Lance gamble on traits and work ethic, and citing inconsistent route-running and trouble playing through contact.

**Claimed:** Apr 29, 2026
**Pundit:** Eric Crocker — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/eric-crocker
**Outlet:** Locked On 49ers (podcast) — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/locked-on-49ers-podcast
**How it reached us:** said on air, transcribed by us
**Original:** https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/f9f75c/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/0a6076b9-74e2-4b01-846e-5cc0d0b8031c/episodes/a5b6c19d-dfdf-4e93-9f93-bd0bf87e524f/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=0a6076b9-74e2-4b01-846e-5cc0d0b8031c&awEpisodeId=a5b6c19d-dfdf-4e93-9f93-bd0bf87e524f&feed=P83yLSb_

One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.

It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

Nothing to score yet: this grades once the result is in.

> And I believe we just lit pick 33 on fire.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **De'Zhaun Stribling to disappoint at the next level**
  - Kind: Draft Bust Calls · About: De'Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- De'Zhaun Stribling — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/de-zhaun-stribling
- San Francisco 49ers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/49ers

## What others said about the same people

- Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0)
- Pete Prisco on San Francisco 49ers: Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dc43909b-bc7f-47aa-b208-5cf7c95844bc (scored 83.33)
- AJ Hawk on San Francisco 49ers: Hawk said the Chiefs would beat the Jets, the Seahawks would beat the Cardinals, and the 49ers would beat the Raiders, even while taking the points with the underdogs in each case. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d20e3b12-b0ca-45f8-a14c-925af9b754bb (scored 100)
- Connor Rogers on San Francisco 49ers: Rogers picked straight-up winners in every Week 9 game, agreeing with Simms on all of them, and gave a 24-20 Bills score over the Vikings on Monday night. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/11646f69-18dd-4831-a7de-e4115ded875c (scored 100)
- Chris Simms on San Francisco 49ers: Simms gave a predicted final score for every Week 9 game, picking the Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos, Lions, Giants, Rams, Cowboys, Saints, 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Texans, Bears and Bills, and also said they wouldn't be shocked to see Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship Game. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/17eb747a-90b1-472f-bb6d-e71c0c69133a (scored 92.86)
- Big Cat on San Francisco 49ers: Big Cat picked the Bengals to beat the Falcons in Madrid, the 49ers to handle the Raiders, the Seahawks to bounce back against the Cardinals, and the Bears to beat the Buccaneers by a projected 26-23. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1780fe70-faa9-45f8-ac64-f6244b7d5144 (scored 100)

## More draft bust calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- John Middlekauff on Caleb Williams: Middlekauff expects either Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson to win this year's MVP, calling them the two best players in the league. They are pessimistic on the Bears, forecasting six or seven wins and saying they'd bet Caleb Williams doesn't work out as a franchise quarterback. They also see Oklahoma's John Mattier as a first-round pick who'll be in the Heisman mix. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/deaaf3f6-e53e-4080-a0ca-d5f872b54c6a (scored 0)
- John Middlekauff on Anthony Richardson: Middlekoff's bold predictions, as relayed on the show, have the Patriots and Colts making the playoffs; they also argue the Colts whiffed on Anthony Richardson, comparing them to Trey Lance. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/eaacd99d-867e-4bab-9c40-015de85caa35 (scored 100)
- Carter Bahns on Ashton Jeanty: Bahns predicts Ashton Jeanty's role in Las Vegas will continue to shrink, with Mike Washington Jr. functioning as a co-starter/early-down back while Jeanty becomes a receiving-game specialist rather than the every-down featured back they were drafted to be. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/ebc5009a-aaec-483a-8b72-b2005466bf45 (not settled)
- Jason Fitz on Cam Ward: Fitz predicted Joe Burrow will win NFL MVP, argued Cam Ward is on track to be remembered as the worst No. 1 overall bust since JaMarcus Russell, said the Titans could very likely land the No. 1 pick again, expects Jacksonville to blow out the Colts, sees Indiana's Charlie Becker as a high first-round pick, and believes Lamar Jackson stays in Baltimore long-term. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b0053c55-e7b4-4cd5-b7ff-0f4f75a6eeda (not settled)
- Carter Bahns on Anthony Richardson: Reviewing the moves that led to Chris Ballard's firing, Bahns judges Anthony Richardson, taken No. 4 overall in 2023, a bust who has failed to justify their first-round draft slot. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/489587cb-b95b-436f-afe7-1eb547833faf (not settled)
- John Shipley on Jack Kiser: Shipley declares linebacker Jack Kiser, taken 107th overall in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, the Jaguars' first draft bust of the new Coen/Gladstone/Boselli regime after Cincinnati claimed them on waivers. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/87f2f656-5cde-4e4c-b30f-fffd5e5d1778 (not settled)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

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