Rookie D-Linemen Alfred Collins and CJ West Make Their Mark in 49ers’ Prime-Time Win
SANTA CLARA - Monday night under the lights, two 49ers rookies got a taste of what every young defensive lineman dreams about: their first NFL sacks. Alfred Collins and CJ West didn’t just show up - they arrived, and they did it on a national stage against a veteran quarterback in Philip Rivers.
For Collins, it was a moment he’ll never forget - even if the adrenaline made it a bit of a blur.
“I kind of blacked out,” he admitted postgame. “But just very happy I was able to do that for my team. First of many.”
That sack was more than just a stat on the box score. It was the culmination of months of grind - from draft prep to training camp to navigating the steep learning curve of NFL life. And Collins made it count, not only taking Rivers down but also forcing a fumble in the process - a big-time play that underscored why the 49ers were excited to bring him in.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who’s had a front-row seat to the rookies’ development, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm.
“They're doing a really nice job,” Saleh said. “It was awesome to see it, awesome for them to get the production because they’ve been working hard at it. But they’re still young - they’re only going to get better.”
That’s the key here. The 49ers invested heavily in the defensive line during the 2025 NFL Draft, using three picks to inject fresh talent into the trenches. And while first-rounder Mykel Williams saw his promising rookie campaign cut short by an ACL injury in Week 9, Collins and West have kept the rookie class alive and thriving.
Without Williams, the two have leaned on each other - and it shows. When Collins made his sack, West was the first to sprint over and celebrate with him. And when West got his moment later in the game, Collins returned the favor.
“When he got [his first sack], I was the first person to be there to celebrate with him because he deserves it,” West said. “It was awesome to see that.”
That kind of chemistry doesn’t happen overnight. It’s forged through shared reps, long meetings, and plenty of sweat equity. And when you’re grinding alongside someone every day, those individual wins start to feel like team victories.
“Heck yeah, that’s my dog,” Collins said of West. “Seeing everybody else do their thing, that makes me so happy.
I’ve seen the journey; we are just getting started. First of many for both of us.”
Collins’ journey to the field hasn’t been without its hurdles. A calf injury before the draft limited his offseason work, and once he got to the Bay Area, it was clear he had some physical adjustments to make. With guidance from the 49ers’ nutrition staff - and a few tips from All-Pro Nick Bosa - Collins dropped about 30 pounds, reshaping his body and putting himself in position to contribute.
West has noticed the work, and he knows just how much it’s taken for both of them to reach this point.
“That was huge,” West said. “Seeing me and Alfred get that means a lot because we put in a lot of work as rookies.
To share that moment together was huge because we share a lot of moments together. To share that one was awesome.
Really happy for each other.”
There’s still a long road ahead for both Collins and West. But on a Monday night in December, they each had their welcome-to-the-NFL moment - and they made sure to celebrate it together. For a 49ers team that prides itself on depth and development in the trenches, that’s exactly the kind of foundation you want to see being built.