C.J. West looked like the kind of rookie the 49ers could build around when they took him in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The former Indiana defensive tackle came in at 6-foot-1 and 316 pounds, and there was real hope he could hold up the middle while bringing a little pass rush with him, too.
That vision never really took hold in year one.
West played in 14 games as a rookie, but he never forced his way into the starting lineup. His final line - 21 tackles, two for loss, and a sack - tells part of the story, but his snap count says even more. He was on the field for a little less than a third of San Francisco’s defensive snaps, which is not the profile of a player making a major impact.
The grading from Pro Football Focus was even harsher. West finished with a 39.7 overall grade, which ranked 130th out of 134 qualifying interior defensive linemen. That puts him squarely in the “more of a liability than anything else” category.
Now the 49ers have made a series of offseason moves that make his path even tougher.
San Francisco’s work up front has changed the picture for West in a hurry. The biggest addition was the blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys for Osa Odighizuwa, who is expected to see a prime share of the defensive snaps. The team also used another fourth-round pick on Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton, a player who could push for a major role himself.
Halton has dealt with a minor injury in training camp, but even that hasn’t taken him out of the conversation for a spot near the top of the depth chart. That’s bad news for West, who now looks like he’s sliding toward the edge of the roster picture.
He wasn’t the only rookie interior lineman who underwhelmed last season. Alfred Collins, San Francisco’s second-round pick, also had his ups and downs, though the draft slot gives him more room to grow than West has. That difference matters now, because Collins still has the kind of draft capital that buys patience.
West, by contrast, may be fighting just to stay relevant in the rotation.
At this point, he appears headed for the bottom of the depth chart unless injuries open a door or he makes a significant jump from his rookie season. He does profile as a true 1-technique player, so base-down looks with a nose tackle could still suit him. But the 49ers don’t seem likely to lean on him much this year.
For West, the challenge is clear: turn a disappointing rookie season into something more before the new additions bury him even deeper.
In Other News...
Aldon Smith Update Leaves 49ers Fans With Painful New Questions
The release of a 911 audio recording has brought a painful new layer to the story of Aldon Smiths death, offering a glimpse into the emergency response after the former 49ers defensive end was found unresponsive in a vehicle on June 13. The call from Amir Shirazi and the frantic scene around Smith have renewed attention on a player whose career once flashed at a star level in San Francisco before off-field struggles and an early exit from the NFL became part of his legacy.
What makes the latest update so difficult for former teammates and fans is how much is still unknown. Smiths family has retained legal counsel to investigate the circumstances, and while the recording adds troubling detail to those final moments, the official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, leaving a painful gap where answers would normally be. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Aiyuk Keeps Making One 49ers Rift Harder To Ignore
Brandon Aiyuks offseason has only added another layer to a situation the 49ers would probably prefer to keep quiet. While the veteran receiver has made it clear on social media that Washington is his preferred landing spot if he is ever released by San Francisco, the backdrop here matters too: Deebo Samuel already came back to the 49ers after a stint with the Commanders, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw also returned after spending a year away. For a team that has seen players circle back before, Aiyuks public posture stands out all the more.
The contrast with Samuel has been hard to miss, especially because Aiyuks social media presence has leaned into criticism of Kyle Shanahan rather than reconciliation. That leaves the 49ers in an awkward spot, with one of their most prominent receivers openly pushing in a different direction while the rest of the roster churn has already shown how unusual, and how complicated, these separations and reunions can get. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Are Learning To Operate Without Kyle Shanahan Right Now
Kyle Shanahans absence around the 49ers facility has been the latest reminder that even in the summer, a teams rhythm can change quickly when its head coach is suddenly less visible. Shanahan has been recovering from a concussion and other injuries suffered in a recent car accident, and his reduced presence has pushed the staff into a different kind of routine as San Francisco keeps moving through its preseason work.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the coaches and players have adjusted to operating with less of Shanahan day to day, which is a useful sign for a team trying to keep its preparations steady. There is still plenty of time before the 49ers kick off in Australia, and the expectation remains that Shanahan will be back in place for that season opener, but for now the focus has been on maintaining the normal workflow without its usual centerpiece. [Read more 🡒]