According to Saleh, the 49ers planned to draft Skattebo in the fourth round. However, the New York Giants selected the running back with the 105th overall pick, taking him off the board just before San Francisco could select him.
"I know going into the draft, we were actually about to draft him in San Francisco. [49ers head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] loved him," Saleh told reporters. "And he ended up getting taken right before we were picking. I think we ended up with [DT] C.J. West, who's a pretty damn good player, too."
The 49ers selected West with the 113th overall pick, eight selections after the Giants drafted Skattebo. San Francisco placed West on injured reserve Wednesday as part of a series of roster moves.
Last year, Skattebo, who grew up in Rio Linda, California, about 130 miles from Levi's Stadium, revealed that he believed the 49ers would draft him.
"I actually thought I was going to end up going to San Francisco with that 100th pick," Skattebo said. "Vibes started getting high, lights started turning on, videos started turning on, and no phone call."
Skattebo has rushed for 527 yards and six touchdowns through his first two NFL seasons. His rookie campaign in 2025 was cut short after he suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 8.
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