The 49ers might be experiencing déjà vu with their rookie defensive tackle.
CJ West, whom San Francisco selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, often has been compared to former 49ers great D.J. Jones ever since becoming a member of the Red and Gold.
“Yeah, I’ve heard that a couple of times through the wind,” West told reporters Saturday after 49ers training camp practice.
But West’s appreciation for Jones dates back years, as West found himself drawing similarities to Jones and even taking notes from him during the veteran defensive tackle’s five seasons with San Francisco.
So when he got the call from 49ers general manager John Lynch on April 26 that he would be heading to the Bay, West took an even deeper dive into Jones’ game tape.
“Yes, I watched a lot of tape of him back when I was in college as well,” West. “Because when you’re a college player, you kind of look to see who you fit as, who you look like in the NFL, what kind of role you may play. And watching games, I was like, ‘Wow, I look a lot like that guy.’ We have the same frame, the same height, arm length and different things. We kind of have the same play style.
“So I was watching him in college. And then when I got drafted here, I was like oh man, I really got to dive deep into it because he was really successful in this scheme under coach Kris [Kocurek]. He did really well.”
After the 49ers drafted West, Lynch acknowledged the similarities to Jones, revealing that Kocurek told Lynch he is a “D.J. Jones comp.”
Jones thrived in San Francisco’s defensive scheme before he joined the Denver Broncos in 2022. Ironically, Jones and the Broncos will visit Santa Clara next week for joint practices with the 49ers before their preseason matchup Saturday.
West would love to pull Jones for a chat to pick his brain, but only if the opportunity presents itself.
“I mean, that would be awesome to have a chat with him,” West said. “But my main focus is just getting better during that practice. If we have time to do that, that’ll be great to learn from some of the vets throughout the league.
“But my main focus is getting better every single day and how I can help myself prepare for the team and the season.”
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