49ers’ trio of rookie defensive linemen prepare for their meet-and-greet

SANTA CLARA Three defensive linemen walk into a rookie minicamp But seriously this is no joke Here comes the ers new-look high-valued defensive linemen Mykell Williams a -foot- -pound defensive end Alfred Collins a - -pound nose tackle C J West a - pound defensive tackle The ers drafted them in the first second and fourth rounds respectively to not only fill voids on the defensive line but to form a menacing unit that follows the lead of five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa The rookies arrive in town this week for minicamp I love teammate camaraderie so I m going to just try to gel with them and form a good bond West mentioned on his April draft day That s how defensive lines work well together when they ve got a good bond and they understand each other and have a feel for each other That was true in Bosa s rookie season when he formed an instant connection with a talent-laden line including DeForest Buckner Arik Armstead and Dee Ford Kevin Givens was an undrafted rookie on that Super Bowl company and both he and Bosa remain the only holdovers This week s rookie minicamp ignites an orientation process with four months to spare before NFL debuts are made by the -pick draft class which also includes linebacker Nick Martin third round nickel back Upton Stout third round and safety Marques Sigle fifth Restocking the defensive front four became an obvious task once the ers circulated starters Leonard Floyd Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave We needed to draft guys that fit our vision for what we want that room to be Lynch mentioned Here is how that vision looks in a meager aspects THE SCHEME FIT Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh returns after four seasons to oversee new players in a familiar scheme Although the Wide- system proved vulnerable and predictable in up-to-date years the key is having the right personnel that fulfills assignments We ve been here nine years and Saleh was first to come with us We ve changed coaches a limited times but our system not just schematically but the way we do the draft that doesn t change declared coach Kyle Shanahan noting he balances out input from coordinators position coaches and scouts when hiring new talent I played particular nine at Georgia but just to be primarily nine-tech I m excited man Super excited Williams commented Because of how well I play on edges just being in a Wide- the whole meeting all the time would allow me to make more plays and would allow me to just be a better athlete overall and have a better career While Shanahan and Lynch also pumped up Williams ability to rush inside that area is perhaps best left for Collins and West as they factor into a rotation with Givens and Jordan Elliott with Evan Anderson and Kalia Davis also returning to the mix THE LEARNING CURVE Williams doesn t turn until June West turns on June Collins hits on Oct All have competed at college football s elite level and all are receptive to learning the NFL meeting I m excited to play for Coach Saleh and play in his system and play with the great players Williams noted And I m playing with Bosa man I can t wait to get to practice I can t wait to get to practice I can t wait to learn from him really I ve got so numerous questions Added Collins I m ready to learn from those that have done it before me I m ready to come in and do whatever I can to win games and I m going to be a good teammate to my teammates West is especially eager to absorb what he correctly assessed as passionate coaches not just with Saleh but defensive line coach Kris Kocurek That s the type of coaching style that I love That s the type of coaching I want to be in West noted And that s the scheme and lifestyle that I want to be in as well So I m excited to get to work I can t wait Saleh Shanahan s first defensive coordinator from - has yet to speak to the media since his January re-hiring though he did offer cordial greetings to reporters at last month s local pro day on the ers practice field THE SKILLSETS Josh Williams the ers director of scouting and football operations was at Georgia s encounter against Mississippi when he captured his first impression of Mykel Williams no relation Pregame that s when I really realized he s got an NFL body he s made of the right stuff he s serious Josh Williams reported He just looked like a guy who would wear our uniform and represent us the right way While Lynch complimented Williams multiple traits tall long athletic versatile smart tough Shanahan crooned over his top pick s mature look Half these guys coming out I see the majority almost seem and we ve got a -year-old who looks like a man on tape Shanahan declared But to look like a man on tape as a -year-old when you re going against -year-olds I think is a big difference And I m excited to see him in the NFL five years from now when he will only be Lynch anticpates Collins -inch wing span and -inch arms being factors in not just tossing aside linemen but batting down passes something the ers haven t done enough of in contemporary seasons He s really adept at batting balls down Lynch explained He s got just I think he affects the quarterback in a big way but can be a real presence in the run contest When it comes to stopping the run something the ers uncharacteristically strayed from doing last season Collins reported he relies on his great pad level elite hands great feet play recognition to know what block is coming to you and then just getting off of blocks doing your job at a high level Related Articles ers Deommodore Lenoir is winner of Dwight Clark Award Who is Jeff Sperbeck NFL agent who fell from golf cart driven by John Elway had Bay Area ties Five keys to watch for ers rookie rushers Jordan James Corey Kiner ers bring aboard D J Humphries to beef up thin position at offensive tackle Analysis George Kittle extension proves ers are still serious about winning But the best self-description any rookie offered on draft weekend was West s I m multiple I can do it everywhere But my bread and butter is at the one-technique That s where I just abuse centers punch em in the face be as violent as manageable just creating havoc down there in the middle