Robert Saleh Reveals How 49ers Planned to Draft Cam Skattebo But Giants Took Him Right Before Their Pick

The 49ers wanted to draft Cam Skattebo in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Robert Saleh Reveals How 49ers Planned to Draft Cam Skattebo But Giants Took Him Right Before Their Pick

Christian McCaffrey and Cam Skattebo inside the circle (Image via IMAGO)

Cam Skattebo came very close to becoming Christian McCaffrey’s teammate at the San Francisco 49ers last season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan reportedly wanted to draft Skattebo.

Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh, who served as the Niners’ defensive coordinator in 2025, told the media on Wednesday that Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were ready to turn in Skattebo’s name in the fourth round. Saleh said via Fox Sports:

[Skattebo is] cool, man. I like him. He’s like the old-school 2010 Madden hit stick. Lower your shoulder, run people over. Plays his *** off. Lots of energy. I know, going into the draft, [the 49ers] were actually about to draft him in San Francisco.

However, the New York Giants swooped in and drafted Skattebo 105th overall, eight selections before the Niners were scheduled to pick. Saleh said:

I think [the Niners] ended up with [Indiana DT] CJ West, who was a pretty damn good player too. He’s a spark plug.

West has proven a valuable addition to the Niners’ defense. In 14 appearances, he recorded 21 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and one sack. The Niners placed West on injured reserve on September 23.

McCaffrey missed 13 regular-season games and the entire postseason after suffering a posterior cruciate ligament injury. Adding Skattebo to the roster would have been a smart move for the Niners.

Regardless, Skattebo has been a live wire for the Giants. According to Pro-Football-Reference, through 10 games, he has recorded 131 carries for 527 yards and eight touchdowns.

Skattebo played college football at Sacramento State for the first three seasons before transferring to Arizona State in 2023. During his final season with the Sun Devils, he racked up 293 carries, 1711 yards (second most, only behind Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty), and 21 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 45 passes for 605 yards and scored 3 receiving touchdowns.

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Jaxson Dart spoke with Cam Skattebo after picking up an injury in Week 2

The Giants started that season with a big win over the Dallas Cowboys. Dart threw for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns while Skattebo rushed 18 times for 81 yards and scored one touchdown.

Robert Saleh Reveals How 49ers Planned to Draft Cam Skattebo But Giants Took Him Right Before Their Pick
Cam Skattebo (Image via IMAGO)

In Week 2 at SoFi Stadium, the Giants faced the Los Angeles Rams. In the first quarter, two Rams defenders smashed into Dart, and the second-year signal caller left the game. He was ruled out after the Doctors suspected a knee injury.

Skattebo later revealed that Dart wanted to return to the game. Skattebo said via SNY Giants:

[Dart] told me he wanted to get back out there and the Doctors kind of told him no… he told me what was happening. I’m going to leave that to him and the doctors and stuff. I think he’ll be alright here in the next few weeks.

Unfortunately, Dart’s injury proved more severe. He suffered significant damage to his left knee, including the meniscus, MCL, and PCL. The former first-round draft pick will undergo surgery, likely ending his sophomore season.

It’s not great news for Skattebo. He has averaged 4.4 yards per carry with Dart on the field compared with 2.9 without him in 2026. With Dart ruled out, the Giants will put more workload on Skattebo. Jameis Winston replaced Dart in the Rams game and looked rusty. A week of practice with first-team players should bring him up to speed.

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