The San Francisco 49ers have a lot of question marks when it comes to the defensive line. Most of them have to do with edge rushers, as Nick Bosa’s absence from practice and Mykel Williams’ uncertain status are certainly cause for concern.
There aren’t many question marks in the interior, as the expectation is that Alfred Collins and Osa Odighizuwa will solidify the position for most of the season. The Niners made a sneaky yet smart move by signing former San Jose State standout Viliami Fehoko.
The 26-year-old was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys back in 2023. He’s bounced around from team to team since then and has dealt with injuries, as he’s yet to actually appear in an NFL game. He probably won’t appear in a game this season with the Niners unless there are a ton of injuries, but if he’s healthy and impresses in practice, then he could add some value as a depth piece.
Fehoko certainly has talent, as he was a star with the San Jose State Spartans from 2018 to 2022. He recorded 23 sacks and 46 tackles for loss in his collegiate career, as he shifted around from linebacker to defensive tackle to defensive end.
Fehoko has potential to provide more value to 49ers than many anticipate
He’s primarily been a tackle in the NFL, but his size suggests he could potentially be moved around the way he was in college. Jaden Dugger is currently showing similar versatility on defense, so maybe Fehoko could follow suit.
Also, as a little fun fact, Fehoko is the second cousin of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea who some 49ers fans hoped the team could pry away from the Bucs. Like Vea, Fehoko grew up in the Bay Area, so it’s a nice homecoming for him. Of course, Vea would have been a preferred option for the Niners, but parting with draft capital and signing him to a big contract extension was likely never in the cards.
Fehoko will be competing with players like C.J. West, Sebastian Valdez, Gracen Halton, and Evan Anderson for playing time. The rookie Halton has been an early standout, so it may be tough for the new signee to separate himself from the pack.
While the former Spartan probably won’t factor into the equation much this year, he’s a nice depth option to have, and his local ties and past success at San Jose State make him an intriguing pickup.
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