One 49ers defensive-line rookie stands out as pads go on at NFL training camp

Yahoo

7 days ago

One 49ers defensive-line rookie stands out as pads go on at NFL training camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA — On Monday as the pads went on at training camp, the 49ers saw their first glimpse of what the team's defensive-line rookies might have to offer.
Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins and C.J. West all took part in 1-on-1s and faced off with various offensive linemen. It was clear very early on what drew the scouting department and coaching staff to the three rookies.
Williams visibly looks twitchier than most, quicker off the line and, at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, obviously looks the part of an NFL player. Even 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is impressed.
'Just look at him, right?' Saleh said Monday. 'He's very powerful. He's got great hands. He's got great leverage. He has great flexibility to go inside and out. He's unique in that regard, which we knew and which is why we were so excited to go get him. Every day he's just going to get better and prove that he belongs.'
Williams didn't win all of his 1-on-1 reps, but it seems it only will be a matter of time before he's more comfortable coming from the outside. In team drills, when lined up on the inside, the first-round 2025 NFL Draft pick often got into the backfield towards whomever was under center, and he took several reps with the 'first-team' defense.
Collins is even more noticeable on the field than Williams, with the same height and 65 additional pounds on his frame. With his size, the second-round pick will need to learn to maintain a lower center of gravity to create leverage against offensive linemen, but Collins' bull-rush still still apparent in 1-on-1s.
West was the rookie who stood out the most in 1-on-1s Not only did he win all of his reps, but he seemed to lift 6-foot-5, 313-pound Dominick Puni off the ground at the point of contact. At 6-foot-1 and 316 pounds, West is solid and already knows how to use leverage to give himself an advantage.
'He's like a little fire hydrant, right?' Saleh said. 'But, he's powerful. He's got heavy hands. He's going to be fine. He's like a lot of rookies — there are so many things that they're learning, especially on the interior of the D-line where it's a game within a game.'
While West was exemplary facing one lineman at a time, he did not generate as much push during team drills, but that will come with the assistance of defensive line coach Kris Kocurek as well as Saleh.
There also are several examples for the young players to follow in Nick Bosa and newcomer Bryce Huff, who both stood out in team drills and got into the back field several times.
The 49ers will reconvene on the field Tuesday for another practice before their day off on Wednesday.