San Francisco is already feeling buyer’s remorse on the rookie second-round pick.
The San Francisco 49ers narrowly escaped Week 1 with a 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, but the win was overshadowed by a slew of injuries and a glaring misstep in their draft strategy. The decision to select former Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins with the No. 43 overall pick in the second round is already looking like a costly mistake, as his lackluster NFL debut has left fans and analysts questioning the team’s judgment.
Collins, expected to bolster the 49ers’ defensive line, was barely a factor in the game, logging just nine defensive snaps and three on special teams. His minimal contribution was not only reflected in a near-empty box score—recording just one assisted tackle—but also in his inability to handle the complexities of NFL-level play. The eye test and advanced metrics paint a grim picture of his performance, raising red flags about his readiness for the professional stage.
The Seahawks exposed Collins’ inexperience early and often, employing intricate protection schemes that left the rookie visibly confused. As noted by Kyle Posey of Niners Nation, one particular sequence saw Seattle’s offensive line outmaneuver Collins by showing one blocker and then switching to another, a tactic he failed to anticipate. While adapting to such schemes requires time and repetitions, the expectation for a high second-round pick is a shorter learning curve—something Collins has yet to demonstrate.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) delivered a harsh verdict on Collins’ Week 1 performance, ranking him dead last—No. 134 out of 134 qualified interior defenders. His pass-rushing grade was slightly below average, but his run-stopping efforts were outright abysmal. While his tackling was deemed adequate, it did little to offset the broader deficiencies in his game. These metrics, combined with his limited snap count, suggest that Collins was not only unprepared but also a liability on the field.
The 49ers’ decision to draft Collins at No. 43 now appears overzealous, with early returns indicating a significant gap between his college pedigree and NFL readiness. The transition from college to the pros is notoriously challenging, particularly for defensive linemen who must contend with sophisticated blocking schemes and split-second decision-making. However, for a player selected so highly, the expectation was that Collins would at least hold his own, if not make an immediate impact. Instead, his debut was a stark reminder of the risks associated with banking on raw potential.
San Francisco’s Week 1 win was marred by a rash of injuries, which only amplifies the concern surrounding Collins’ poor performance. With key players sidelined, the team can ill-afford a high draft pick who fails to contribute meaningfully. The 49ers now face their next challenge against the New Orleans Saints, where Collins will need to show marked improvement to justify his roster spot and quell growing doubts.
While it’s too early to label Collins a bust, his debut has undoubtedly sparked buyer’s remorse among the 49ers’ front office and fanbase. The road ahead will require significant growth, both in technical proficiency and mental acuity, to meet the expectations tied to his draft position. If Collins fails to adapt quickly, his struggles could become a lingering talking point, especially as the team navigates a challenging season with a depleted roster.
For now, the 49ers must confront the reality that their prized second-round pick is not yet ready for primetime. Whether Collins can turn things around remains to be seen, but his Week 1 disaster has set an ominous tone for what could be a long and difficult journey.