San Francisco 49ers sign DE Sam Okuayinonu

Sam Okuayinonu's signing earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI), reflecting a modest depth-piece addition at a reasonable cost during the preseason. At $3.52M total on a one-year deal, the 49ers are committing replacement-level salary to a defensive end—the kind of mid-roster investment typically reserved for rotational pass-rush depth or injury insurance rather than a building block. This valuation sits squarely in the journeyman defender range: productive enough to justify a roster spot, but not commanding the premium that would signal either a breakout season or a proven scheme fit in San Francisco's defense. The structure suggests low financial risk and minimal long-term commitment, which is prudent given the lack of guaranteed money or multi-year obligation in the data. For a team sitting at 12-5 and eyeing playoff depth as the regular season approaches in 91 days, this is a straightforward depth signing that neither strains the cap nor signals confidence in a transformational contribution—exactly what a C+ should capture.