Could CJ West Be the 49ers’ Secret Weapon? Rookie DT Turns Heads at First Padded Practice
The San Francisco 49ers might have struck gold in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft—and we’re not talking about the flashy early picks. We're talking about Day 3 gem CJ West, a defensive tackle who showed up, strapped on pads, and absolutely owned his first full-contact NFL practice.
At Monday’s padded practice—the first one of the offseason—CJ West wasn’t just good. He was dominant. He bulldozed his way through offensive linemen like he’d been doing this for years, not hours. Fans and insiders alike couldn’t help but buzz about the rookie’s explosive debut.
One guy who definitely noticed? ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, who didn’t hold back on social media. In his breakdown of the practice, Wagoner said:
“There was one obvious standout today: rookie DT CJ West. I had West winning cleanly and (mostly) decisively in all five of his reps. He did it against a different bunch of OL including Matt Hennessy, Zack Johnson, Drew Moss and Connor Colby… West's best rep might have been against Dominick Puni.”
Let’s pause there. Dominick Puni isn't some scrub. That’s a quality matchup. And yet, West didn’t just compete—he dominated. According to Wagoner, West used his heavy hands to knock Puni back right off the snap, then ripped past him with a slick inside move. The kind of rep that has coaches turning their heads and taking notes.
🔥 Rookie Fire Hydrant?
Even the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, couldn’t ignore what he’d heard—even though he hadn’t yet reviewed the tape.
“He’s like a little fire hydrant, right?” Saleh said with a grin. “But he’s powerful. He’s got heavy hands… He’s going to be fine.”
Let’s unpack that. Saleh is known for his blunt but insightful assessments. Calling West a “fire hydrant” is oddly fitting—he’s compact, low to the ground, hard to move, and delivers a big punch. Basically, he’s exactly what you want in a disruptive interior lineman.
Saleh added: “He’s like a lot of rookies—there are so many things they’re learning, especially on the interior D-line, where it’s a game within a game. First, they learn pocket push, then how to capture an edge, and rush from there.”
So while West still has a steep learning curve ahead, the early signs? Extremely promising.
🛠️ Rebuilding the Trenches, One Draft Pick at a Time
The 49ers’ 2025 draft class wasn’t loaded with first-round glitz, but it might turn out to be one of the most impactful in recent memory—especially if West keeps trending the way he’s going.
San Francisco did invest in another defensive tackle, Alfred Collins, during the second round. But the two players offer very different styles. Collins is a much bigger, more traditional space-eater—your classic 3-tech or even nose tackle in some sets. CJ West, on the other hand, is all about disruption, quickness, and leverage. Think of him as the perfect complement to a guy like Mykel Williams—and possibly, the ideal third-down rusher on the interior.
And remember, CJ West isn’t just some flash-in-the-pan preseason standout. At Indiana, he built a reputation as a legit run stuffer and showed flashes of pass-rush potential. The guy was a beast in the Big Ten trenches, and now he's bringing that same fire to the NFL.
📌 Why CJ West’s Emergence Matters Right Now
Let’s not sugarcoat it—the 49ers’ window to win another Super Bowl isn’t going to stay open forever. Aging veterans, cap space crunches, and injuries are all looming like clouds on the horizon. If this team wants to keep contending, it needs to keep finding diamonds in the rough.
That’s where players like West come in.
If he can carve out a role—maybe even as a rotational piece on early downs and a pressure-package menace on third down—then suddenly the Niners have a cost-controlled weapon on the defensive line. And in today’s NFL, with offenses spreading you out and trying to get rid of the ball fast, having interior pressure is a cheat code.
Remember how the Eagles built their Super Bowl team a few years back? Constant waves of defensive line talent. That’s the blueprint.
🧠 From Hype to Reality: What Comes Next for West?
It’s one thing to show out at practice. It’s another to do it when the lights come on. That’s the next challenge for West—translating these impressive one-on-one drills into actual impact during live team reps, joint practices, and, most crucially, preseason games.
The joint practices will be the first true test. Facing off against different opponents in a competitive setting is a step up from camp. It’s fast, chaotic, and physical. If West can hold his own—or better yet, stand out again—then he’s officially putting himself in the mix for serious playing time.
And hey, don’t rule out the possibility of a starting role. It might sound wild now, but if West keeps stringing together performances like this, the coaching staff is going to have some tough decisions to make. After all, in football, it’s not always about where you were drafted. It’s about what you do once you’re in the building.
🚀 CJ West: A Name to Watch This Season
No one’s saying CJ West is the next Aaron Donald. But what we are saying is this: the 49ers might have found something special in the later rounds. And for a team trying to retool without rebuilding, that kind of pickup can be season-changing.
So keep your eyes peeled this preseason. Watch those joint practice reports. Track snap counts in exhibition games. CJ West is officially on breakout watch—and if he keeps making noise, he might be one of the biggest steals of the entire 2025 NFL Draft.
Stay tuned, Niner Nation. This could get fun.
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