The San Francisco 49ers faced a challenging 2024 season, prompting the team to prioritize injecting young talent into their roster during the 2025 NFL Draft. With a clear focus on bolstering their defense, the 49ers selected six defensive players, including three defensive linemen, to fortify their front. Among these additions, second-round pick (43rd overall) defensive tackle Alfred Collins from Texas stands out as a potential game-changer—and a direct threat to veteran Kevin Givens’ roster spot.
Kevin Givens’ Tenure with the 49ers
Kevin Givens, an undrafted free agent who joined San Francisco in 2019, has been a reliable depth piece for the team over the past six seasons. Appearing in 65 games with 14 starts, Givens has recorded 90 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss (TFLs), and eight sacks. He has played at least 28% of the defensive snaps in each of the last five seasons, serving as a rotational player along the defensive line.
However, Givens’ performance has been underwhelming, particularly in run defense. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he has never achieved an overall grade above 60. His 2024 season was particularly lackluster, with a 49.6 overall grade (149th among 219 graded defensive linemen), a 68.2 pass-rush grade (39th), and a dismal 38.4 run-defense grade (190th). For a 49ers team that prides itself on a stout defensive front, Givens’ struggles against the run have become a glaring liability. Having signed one-year contracts for four consecutive seasons, Givens now finds himself on shaky ground as the team looks to its younger talent.
Enter Alfred Collins: The Rookie Run-Stuffer
The 49ers’ selection of Alfred Collins in the second round signals their intent to address their run-defense woes. Valued at an estimated $2.05 million as a rookie, Collins brings a skill set tailor-made for the 49ers’ needs. At Texas, he established himself as a dominant run-stuffer along the interior defensive line, excelling as a two-gapper who can stack and shed blocks to clog running lanes. His agility, play recognition, and ability to disrupt plays in the backfield make him a promising addition.
Over 64 collegiate games, Collins amassed 142 total tackles, 18 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, and an impressive 13 pass deflections—a testament to his knack for getting his hands up at the line of scrimmage to bat down passes. His ability to anchor against the run directly addresses the 49ers’ defensive shortcomings, particularly in comparison to Givens’ subpar run-defense grades.
A Changing of the Guard?
The 49ers’ decision to use a top-50 draft pick on Collins suggests they view him as an immediate contributor, not a developmental project. With Givens struggling to hold his own against the run—a critical component of San Francisco’s defensive scheme—Collins’ arrival puts the veteran on notice. The NFL places a premium on stopping the run, and Collins’ college tape demonstrates he can be a difference-maker in this area. His ability to control gaps and disrupt plays could see him quickly supplant Givens in the rotation.
Givens’ tenure with the 49ers has been respectable, but his lack of growth and consistent underperformance in run defense make him expendable. The team’s investment in Collins indicates a shift toward younger, more dynamic talent capable of elevating the defense to its previous heights. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on the battle along the defensive line, where Collins’ rise could spell the end for Givens in San Francisco.
Looking Ahead
The 49ers’ aggressive approach in the 2025 NFL Draft underscores their commitment to rebuilding a championship-caliber defense. Alfred Collins, with his run-stuffing prowess and versatility, represents the future of the team’s defensive line. For Kevin Givens, the clock is ticking. Unless he can dramatically improve his performance, the $2.05 million rookie may push the veteran to the brink—and potentially off the roster altogether.