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It's NFL draft month. So between now and when the first round begins, we will be highlighting prospects who could be of interest to the Indianapolis Colts.
Next up is Indiana interior defensive lineman CJ West.
Height: 6-011
Weight: 316
Arm length: 31.50 inches
Relative Athletic Score: 9.15
West spent his first four college seasons at Kent State before transferring and playing this past year at Indiana. Since 2021, West has been a key rotational member along the defensive front each season.
Consistently for the last two years, he has been one of PFF's higher graded interior run defenders, which is where his greatest impact came and what West was often asked to do--stop the run.
This past season, he had a career year as a pass rusher, totaling 25 pressures and a sack. Those pressure numbers won't leap off the stat sheet, but West did rank 36th in pass rush win rate, which shows an ability to win consistently.
The majority of West's snaps in 2024 came in the A-gap, but he has plenty of experience lining up in the B-gap as well.
The Colts, of course, have a strong foundation at defensive tackle with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart; however, improved play behind them is needed. At a position group that is often heavily rotated, depth is crucial.
Last season, Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis, both of whom remain unsigned as free agents, each ranked near the bottom of their position group in PFF's pass rush win rate metric and in run stop rate. Offenses frequently took advantage when Buckner and Stewart weren't on the field.
The hope is that Neville Gallimore can provide a boost and that Adetomiwa Adebawore can make a jump, but the Colts shouldn't assume that'll happen either.
For more on West, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his scouting report:
"Fifth-year senior with three seasons as a full-time starter at Kent State and one at Indiana. West benefited from an extremely active, gaming front that created playmaking opportunities, but he also did the dirty work inside that scheme. He plays with adequate hand and foot quickness and is quick to diagnose the play. A lack of length and leverage at the point of attack might tie him to a one-gapping scheme as a pro. The sack totals are light, but he has enough athletic ability to compete as a rusher on single blocks. West has Day 3 value as a likely three-technique backup."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 NFL draft: Previewing Indiana IDL CJ West
Continue reading...
Next up is Indiana interior defensive lineman CJ West.
Measureables
Height: 6-011
Weight: 316
Arm length: 31.50 inches
Relative Athletic Score: 9.15
Stats to know
West spent his first four college seasons at Kent State before transferring and playing this past year at Indiana. Since 2021, West has been a key rotational member along the defensive front each season.
Consistently for the last two years, he has been one of PFF's higher graded interior run defenders, which is where his greatest impact came and what West was often asked to do--stop the run.
This past season, he had a career year as a pass rusher, totaling 25 pressures and a sack. Those pressure numbers won't leap off the stat sheet, but West did rank 36th in pass rush win rate, which shows an ability to win consistently.
The majority of West's snaps in 2024 came in the A-gap, but he has plenty of experience lining up in the B-gap as well.
Fit with the Indianapolis Colts
The Colts, of course, have a strong foundation at defensive tackle with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart; however, improved play behind them is needed. At a position group that is often heavily rotated, depth is crucial.
Last season, Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis, both of whom remain unsigned as free agents, each ranked near the bottom of their position group in PFF's pass rush win rate metric and in run stop rate. Offenses frequently took advantage when Buckner and Stewart weren't on the field.
The hope is that Neville Gallimore can provide a boost and that Adetomiwa Adebawore can make a jump, but the Colts shouldn't assume that'll happen either.
CJ West NFL draft profile
For more on West, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his scouting report:
"Fifth-year senior with three seasons as a full-time starter at Kent State and one at Indiana. West benefited from an extremely active, gaming front that created playmaking opportunities, but he also did the dirty work inside that scheme. He plays with adequate hand and foot quickness and is quick to diagnose the play. A lack of length and leverage at the point of attack might tie him to a one-gapping scheme as a pro. The sack totals are light, but he has enough athletic ability to compete as a rusher on single blocks. West has Day 3 value as a likely three-technique backup."
Highlights
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 NFL draft: Previewing Indiana IDL CJ West
Continue reading...
