The San Francisco 49ers have officially signed former Indiana defensive tackle CJ West to his rookie contract. Selected in the fourth round (No. 113 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, West becomes the latest addition to finalize his deal from the team's incoming rookie class.
With West now under contract, only second-round pick Alfred Collins remains unsigned among the 49ers' 2025 draft selections.
West is part of a major offseason effort to reshape San Francisco's defensive line. Alongside Collins and first-round pick Mykel Williams, the trio is expected to strengthen the unit following the departures of several veteran contributors.
According to Over The Cap, West's four-year deal is worth approximately $5.21 million. It includes a signing bonus of about $1.01 million and carries a 2025 salary-cap hit of roughly $1.09 million.
West (6-1, 316) registered 40 tackles (eight for a loss), two sacks, a pass defensed, and a forced fumble through 13 games in 2024, per Sports Reference. Over his five collegiate seasons, he recorded 150 tackles (27 for a loss), nine sacks, two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles, transferring from Kent State to Indiana in 2024.
All rookie contracts are set at four years under the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which extends through the 2030 season. Only first-round picks come with a team option for a fifth year, which doesn't apply to West.
"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," Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote in his player analysis. "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."