One of his rookie classmates stands to get more headlines, but Alfred Collins might be more important to the resurgence of the 49ers’ defense.
A disappointing 2024 season led to an offseason of change for the San Francisco 49ers, particularly on the defensive side of the ball as veteran talent departed and their first five picks in April’s draft were used to restock the cupboard.
There’s a solid argument that the 49ers’ defense, around core players Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, needed a youth-driven overhaul. If not for last year’s 6-11 record and the subsequent adjustment in cash spending, it might have been pushed off for at least one more offseason. Sometimes things just work out how their meant to, when they’re meant to.
Headlined by first-round pick edge rusher Mykel Williams, the 49ers are lined up to rely heavily on at least four of those aforementioned five defensive players taken within the first 115 picks of the draft right away, especially the three defensive lineman counting Williams.
Rookie who will be critical cog in 49ers’ defensive resurgence gets some rightful buzz
Williams is a convenient top candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year this year, and a notable sack total would naturally make him prominent in that conversation. But the 49ers’ run defense was especially soft in the middle last year, and second-round pick defensive tackle Alfred Collins will be met with zero resistance when it comes to winning a starting job.
Tyler Dragon of USA Today has named one rookie on each NFL team who could breakout this year. Williams would have been easy and understandable to go with for the 49ers, but Dragon pivoted to Collins in light of last year’s deficiency on the interior defensive line.
“The 49ers are projected to have three new starters along their defensive line. San Francisco’s first five draft picks were all used on defensive players, including first and second round picks on defensive linemen. Defensive end Mykel Williams is projected to start. Collins could find his way into the starting lineup as well. The interior of San Francisco’s d-line suffered when Javon Hargrave sustained a season-ending injury. Only one Niner interior defensive lineman scored above a 60 grade as a run defender, per Pro Football Focus.”
Collins is a massive man (6-foot-6, 332 pounds), with arm length that would be considered ideal for an edge rusher (34 and 5/8 inches; Williams’ arm length is 34 and 3/8 inches). If the 49ers’ run defense is going to improve notably this year, the Texas product will be a critical cog and it’s nice to see him get some acknowledgment on that level.