The San Francisco 49ers double-dipped at a position of need, taking Indiana Hoosiers defensive tackle C.J. West at No. 113 in the fourth round.
West, a 6’1, 316-pound defensive tackle, is shorter in stature, but makes up for it in athleticism to be a potential Day 3 steal at a premium position.
Here’s what The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said about the Indiana defensive tackle:
“A one-year starter at Indiana, West was an interchangeable defensive tackle in defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ scheme, lining up everywhere from the nose to the 2i-/three-technique. A hooper growing up, he caught the football bug, moved to the defensive line as a high school junior and has steadily improved ever since — he had a career year in 2024 as the catalyst for Indiana’s top-ranked FBS run defense.
“The No. 1 criteria when scouting defensive linemen is to find the guys that hate to be blocked, and West falls into that category with his fast, strong hands and high energy level. He can win gaps with his quickness but has some tweener play traits, as he lacks the mass or length desired for the nose and his pass-rush process is underdeveloped when playing over the B-gap. Overall, West doesn’t have the size measurements to fit every scheme, and he needs to continue connecting the dots as a pass rusher, but his natural leverage, play violence and ascending instincts are of NFL quality. Similar in ways to Poona Ford, he has the goods to become a valuable part of a defensive line rotation.Martin had a serious knee injury in 2024, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt his draft stock.”
West moved up to the Power 4 level for his final year of college, playing on a College Football Playoff team with the Indiana Hoosiers. More known for his run defense abilities, West recorded 22 run stops in 2024, according to PFF, while being a versatile defensive lineman for the Hoosiers.
I’ve mocked multiple defensive tackles to the 49ers at No. 113 a couple of times, with West being in that conversation, given the need for the position after releasing Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins.
West’s pass-rush ability will ultimately determine how good the draft pick will be, but he has been solid as a run defender throughout his career, be it at Kent State or Indiana. The 49ers have clearly gone through the draft with an emphasis on fixing the run defense, and continued it here with their fifth straight defensive selection.
The size may bring up a concern, but on Day 3, the 49ers should be drafting ‘their guys’ and West has seemed like one of those players throughout the pre-draft process.
The athleticism will be key, and could serve as a good complement to second-round pick Alfred Collins, who is a bigger-bodied defensive tackle adept at stopping the run.
Ultimately, the pass-rush ability will make-or-break this pick, but I like the player and the spot where he was drafted, giving this an A- grade.
Grade: A-
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