Will the Second-Round Holdouts Open the Door for C.J. West?
*Would the second-round holdouts have opened the door for CJ West, as of today.
*Update: As of Wednesday, July 16th, Alfred Collins was the third second-round pick to sign his deal. This is likely to open up an avalanche of second round signings as rookies report to camp. But this is a good piece, so read it anyway.
As rookies report for training camp across the NFL this week, the league has a big second-round draftee problem. Only two second-round picks, Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns and Jayden Higgins of the Houston Texans, have signed their rookie contracts. With the Browns and Texans handing out fully guaranteed contracts to both of those players, the remaining 30 picks in the second round and their respective agents have hit the brakes on signing deals in hopes that they too can secure those same fully guaranteed contracts. As teams continue to hedge against fully guaranteed contracts for second rounders, holdouts into training camp look increasingly likely. How will this affect what we see from the San Francisco 49ers 2025 rookie class?
The 49ers invested heavily on defense early and often in this year's draft with the expectation that these rookies would have come in and can contribute right away. With the selection of DT Alfred Collins at #43 overall, the assumption by most is that he would possibly be a day one starter due to the needs along the defensive line. At 6’ 5”, 320 pounds, it is easy to imagine him stepping right in and becoming a force against opposing teams in the run game. Because of the rookies drafted in front of Collins not signing their deals, and awaiting the language of the contracts to include the guaranteed money, it is very reasonable to believe that Collins will hold the line as well. If he should do so, and not report to the team as scheduled, this could easily change the trajectory of his rookie season.
Robert Saleh’s defense is returning veterans, Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens, on the interior line who should consume early reps in camp. Elliott and Givens both have significant experience in the system and Yetur Gross-Matos has the ability to move inside which alone could keep the rookies off the field. Kalia Davis will also be in the mix and pushing to remain on the 53-man roster. Along with C.J. West, reps in practice may very well be limited upon Collins arrival, which could prove to be detrimental for a variety of reasons.
West, like Collins (6’1”, 316 pounds), is a big bodied, run-stuffing specialist. Picked in the 4th round out of Indiana, the idea of being paired with Collins on the interior line is very enticing to 49ers fans looking to see the run defense improve vastly from last season. West reporting to camp on time, and being present, and available for valuable practice snaps could potentially give him an edge early on in the season, especially should these holdouts linger deep into training camp and the preseason.
With the reliance of all of the young defensive talent being so critical for the 49ers success this season, Collins absence to begin training camp will generate a high level of concern should it affect his future availability upon his arrival. In a perfect world, Collins will have his deal in place and will arrive in Santa Clara on Tuesday with his fellow rookie teammates ready to take on the rigors of his first NFL season. But in a world where precedents will be set for future rookie contracts, it is more likely to anticipate that Collins will be joining his teammates at a later time.