Can CJ West outperform the other players the 49ers drafted ahead of him?
The San Francisco 49ers addressed multiple needs in the NFL Draft. They checked defensive tackle, edge rusher, linebacker, and defensive back off the list.
The Niners run defense was atrocious in 2024. In fairness, Javon Hargrave’s injury meant a backup was going to play the majority of the season — which would skew the following numbers. Still, San Francisco finished 29th in total rushing EPA allowed and 25th in defensive success rate.
Those numbers are why Pro Football Network believes CJ West will be the prospect who exceeds expectations as a rookie:
Given the 49ers’ thin depth on the interior of their defensive line, CJ West’s gritty, disruptive energy could make him a valuable rotational piece early in his rookie season. An experienced player, West made a name for himself by doing the dirty work and consistently freeing up playmakers around him. He was a tone-setter for Indiana’s revamped run defense, helping to elevate it from one of the Big Ten’s weakest to one of the nation’s best.
Though West lacks elite length and first-step explosion, he has the traits to make an impact on early downs. His performances against Ohio State and Michigan suggest he can hold is own against NFL-caliber competition. West will need to develop as a pass rusher, but he could immediately this defense as a run stuffer.
Last season, the Hoosiers run defense finished elite in “stuff rate,” line yards per rush, and second-level yards — all signs that they had a stout interior defensive line.
West starting 46 of the 53 games he played in should allow West to see the field sooner as a rookie, thanks to that experience. When you watch Indiana, you see a player with a high motor who finds a way to consistently cause chaos behind the line of scrimmage. That’s the type of player you want at nose tackle.
The Hoosiers used West in twists, stunts, and different games up front, so the 49ers won’t have to guess whether he can be effective on the move. Those types of games allow players to manipulate their pressure numbers. West finished second in the NFL Draft among defensive tackles in quick pressure percentage.
You don’t fake your way into 10 tackles for loss when you play 3/4 of your snaps over the center. There’s plenty of sound reasoning that would lead you to believe West will outperform his draft slot as a rookie.