Sebastian Valdez has spent more than a year waiting for his opportunity to make an impact. Now that he has finally gotten one, he is making it count.
Valdez signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2025 and spent the season on the practice squad. He returned to the practice squad this year and was elevated to the active roster multiple times, but never saw the field. That changed in Week 3.
With injuries piling up along the defensive line, including Sam Okuayinonu, Alfred Collins, C.J. West and James Thompson Jr., the 49ers needed help at defensive tackle. Valdez was once again called up, but this time he finally got to play, and he hasn't looked out of place.
Valdez played 31 defensive snaps in his NFL debut and finished with a 75.0 PFF grade, third among 49ers defenders that week. He followed that up with another strong performance in Week 4, earning a 68.7 grade while again ranking third on the defense.
Through his first two games, Valdez owns a 74.8 overall PFF grade, including a 78.0 run-defense grade and a 55.0 pass-rush grade. The numbers suggest that his strongest work has come against the run, which makes sense for a player nicknamed "The Hulk," who is known for his strength. But there is more to Valdez's game than simply overpowering offensive linemen.
Over the last two weeks, he has shown improvement against the run while also showing an ability to cover ground and make plays outside of his immediate area. For a defensive tackle known for his physicality, that ability to move around the field adds another element to his game. Valdez has continued to find ways to contribute as he becomes more comfortable playing meaningful NFL snaps.
His Week 4 numbers provide another indication of the difference he can make. When Valdez was on the field, the 49ers allowed 91 total yards on 25 plays, or 3.8 yards per play. The offense also produced a negative expected points added per play (EPA per play) of -0.125 during those snaps. When Valdez was off the field, the 49ers allowed 205 total yards on 40 plays, an average of 5.1 yards per play. The Broncos' EPA per play jumped to 0.169.
The sample is small, but the difference is noticeable. The 49ers were considerably more effective defensively during the plays Valdez was on the field in Week 4. And that is perhaps the most encouraging part of his presence.
Valdez wasn't expected to immediately become a major contributor. He had to earn his way onto the roster as an undrafted free agent, spend time on the practice squad and wait through multiple elevations without seeing a single snap. But when injuries finally created a path onto the field, he was ready.
There is still plenty for Valdez to improve, though. His 55.0 pass-rush grade shows that his impact has been much stronger against the run than as a pass rusher, and he has only played two NFL games. But the 49ers don't need him to become a major player overnight. They just need him to provide reliable snaps while the defensive line deals with injuries. And so far, Valdez has done more than just be another body.
More info on: Alfred Collins, Sam Okuayinonu, James Thompson, Sebastian Valdez, C.J. West
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