CJ West isn’t as tall as most NFL defensive linemen, but the 49ers rookie knows he excels in other areas. And defensive coordinator Robert Saleh sees it, too, just over a week into training camp.

“I mean, he’s like a little fire hydrant, right?” Saleh told reporters after practice last Monday. “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. You know, the first thing they learn is pocket push and then they learn how to capture an edge and rush from there. I wasn’t there. I heard he did a really nice job over there, but I’m excited to get to the tape to see it.”

West certainly understood Saleh’s “fire hydrant” analogy when he was told about it on Saturday. At 6-foot-1, the 2025 fourth-round pick stands four inches shorter than the 49ers’ other two defensive-line draft additions this year, Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins.

West believes in some cases, that can work to his advantage.

“Being shorter than a lot of offensive linemen, I get to be able to use my leverage, I get to get under them a lot more,” West told reporters. “I got stockier arms, I got a stockier build, so I get to lock them out easier and things like that. So I definitely use my height advantage and my build frame for my leverage, and when it comes to that, just continue to play low and get under people.”

Once the 49ers put the pads on this past week, Saleh was even more impressed by West.

“… He’s done a really nice job. He’s getting better every day,” Saleh told reporters Friday. “A lot of things he still has to clean up with footwork, hand placement and all that. But he’s one that we’re excited about. He’s going to continue to get better every single day. He’ll be part of the NFL for a while.”

As for West, he’ll take whatever nickname Saleh wants to give him.

“That’s pretty cool,” West said of being called a “fire hydrant.” “Whatever coach Saleh says, I’m just going to learn from him and continue to do what he needs me to do. I just want to win. That’s my end goal. Whatever I have to do for the team for that to happen, I’ll do it.”

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast