In under two weeks time, the 49ers will need to cut their roster to 53 players ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
That is always a challenging and brutal task for any team as the general manager and head coach are given the unfortunate job of dashing the hopes of a host of players.
Heading into another season where they again have aspirations of emerging from a formidable NFC West and contending for the Super Bowl, the tough decisions that come with putting together a 53-man roster and practice squad take
on an added pertinence for the 49ers.
And one position that is seemingly set to give the 49ers a headache as they construct their roster is the defensive tackle spot.
It is a position that has been area of concern for the Niners for the last three seasons, and San Francisco has invested significant resources into turning things around at that spot.
This year, there is reason for optimism, with the 49ers having traded for a skilled interior pass rusher in Osa Odighizuwa while acquiring a pair of rookies who have shone early.
Fourth-round pick Gracen Halton and undrafted free agent Bryson Eason both impressed in the 49ers’ preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, Halton registering a sack in which he beat veteran guard Peter Skoronski, while Eason caught the eye with his play against the run.
Sebastian Valdez, a UDFA last year who spent 2025 on the practice squad, boosted his claim for a spot on the active roster by registering five tackles, including one for a loss.
Their performances came as last year’s second-round pick Alfred Collins struggled and with 2025 fourth-round pick C.J. West on the sideline due to an unspecified injury.
And, when asked about West in a press conference on Sunday, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris indicated the fight for places on the depth chart at defensive tackle is getting increasingly difficult to judge.
“He’s done some really good things. C.J. ultimately coming here, let’s be honest, he came in, he’s seen a big-time run stopper and a guy that can really hold up, particularly towards the end of the season to do some things in that nose tackle position, so to speak. And then when I got here, I seen he had more quickness than he had when he first got here, and he’s gotten better and better throughout the process. To see him be able to spike and do different movements to get to the backfield and cause pass rush and cause disruption, whether it be our first team, second team, whatever team’s out there, watching him do those things. Had his little, small setback, obviously missing a couple days, but he’s been back out there in the mix. So, I’m really fired up to see where he goes from here and what he’s able to do and how he can contribute to that line. All of those guys create such a competition right now, and that’s what you want. You don’t want it to be easy for us to be able to pick out a football team, and I just think they’re making it harder and harder every day.”
It would be unrealistic to expect the 49ers to carry more than five defensive tackles on the active roster this season. As such, the emergence of Halton, Eason and Valdez places pressure on Collins and West to impress and lock down their spots.
West, despite his absence, is better equipped to do so. While neither West nor Collins are known for their pass-rushing ability, West is the player with more potential in that area, as Morris articulated.
Given his comparative lack of tools when getting after the quarterback, Collins could find himself in significant trouble if he cannot produce better play against the run.
It is important to note that Collins has only recently returned to the field from shoulder surgery, which could go some way to explaining his struggles. Still, with others impressing and the 49ers viewed as a possible landing spot for veteran defensive tackle Vita Vea, neither Collins nor West can be considered a lock for the roster at a position that will be fascinating to watch over the course of the final two preseason games.
