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After drafting Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams in the first round, the San Francisco 49ers doubled down on rebuilding their defensive front by selecting Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Alfred Collins with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Collins, who finished his Texas career with 141 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 12 pass deflections, and an interception in 64 games, earned second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors in 2024 after posting 55 tackles and six tackles for loss. His reputation as a run-stopper and his physical profile-standing 6-foot-6, 332 pounds with a massive wingspan-immediately drew attention from analysts and fans alike.
Draft experts largely praised the pick as a strong, if not flashy, move for a 49ers team that struggled against the run last season and lost key veterans on the interior defensive line. CBS Sports’ Ran Carthon graded the pick a “B+,” calling Collins “a really good pick for their defense and what they like to do.” Carthon highlighted Collins’ power, length, and ability to play across the line, describing him as “a nimble big athlete” who fits the 49ers’ scheme well
In his first interview as a 49er, Collins expressed gratitude and confidence, telling the team’s media, “The run will be stopped. That’s my specialty, I feel. So, they’re getting a run stopper for sure”. Collins also shared that he was “blessed and ecstatic” upon receiving the call from San Francisco and is eager to contribute to a defense aiming for a return to postseason contention.
While some analysts noted that Collins’ pass-rush production is limited and his technique still developing, the consensus is that his size, strength, and run-stopping ability make him an immediate asset for the 49ers’ defensive interior. With Collins and Williams now in the fold, San Francisco appears committed to restoring its defensive front as a cornerstone of the team’s identity heading into the 2025 season.
Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Alfred Collins is heading to San Fransisco, what the experts say
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Collins, who finished his Texas career with 141 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 12 pass deflections, and an interception in 64 games, earned second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors in 2024 after posting 55 tackles and six tackles for loss. His reputation as a run-stopper and his physical profile-standing 6-foot-6, 332 pounds with a massive wingspan-immediately drew attention from analysts and fans alike.
Draft experts largely praised the pick as a strong, if not flashy, move for a 49ers team that struggled against the run last season and lost key veterans on the interior defensive line. CBS Sports’ Ran Carthon graded the pick a “B+,” calling Collins “a really good pick for their defense and what they like to do.” Carthon highlighted Collins’ power, length, and ability to play across the line, describing him as “a nimble big athlete” who fits the 49ers’ scheme well
In his first interview as a 49er, Collins expressed gratitude and confidence, telling the team’s media, “The run will be stopped. That’s my specialty, I feel. So, they’re getting a run stopper for sure”. Collins also shared that he was “blessed and ecstatic” upon receiving the call from San Francisco and is eager to contribute to a defense aiming for a return to postseason contention.
While some analysts noted that Collins’ pass-rush production is limited and his technique still developing, the consensus is that his size, strength, and run-stopping ability make him an immediate asset for the 49ers’ defensive interior. With Collins and Williams now in the fold, San Francisco appears committed to restoring its defensive front as a cornerstone of the team’s identity heading into the 2025 season.
Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Alfred Collins is heading to San Fransisco, what the experts say
Continue reading...
