How 49ers 2nd-round pick fits on overhauled D-line
How 49ers 2nd-round pick fits on overhauled D-line
On the way to a disappointing 6-11 record in the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers' defense ranked No. 18 in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game with 124.6 yards per game. In seven games, the 49ers allowed over 150 yards on the ground, including 220 yards to the Buffalo Bills in an ugly 35-10 loss in the snow.
Along with already allowing a significant amount of yards on the ground, the 49ers' defensive front went through a flurry of changes in the offseason. Players like Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd have all exited Santa Clara.
With their first two picks in the 2025 edition of the NFL draft, the 49ers addressed their holes on the defensive line, but with a specific set of traits.
After landing one of the top run-stuffing edge players in the first round with Georgia's Mykell Williams, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan added another defensive line prospect in the second round that should be able to impact the run defense on day one.
With the No. 43 overall pick, the 49ers added Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins in the second round. The 6-foot-6, 330 lb defensive tackle racked up 18 tackles for loss in 64 career games in Austin.
In his final season with the Longhorns, Collins earned an 85.0 run defense grade with Pro Football Focus in 287 run defense snaps. Collins notched an 87.2 overall grade, rating No. 9 overall, in front of first-round picks, Derrick Harmon, Tyleik Williams and Kenneth Grant.
As a run-stopping big man in the center of the defense, Collins should give the 49ers they haven't had in recent years. The 49ers haven't added a defensive tackle in the first two rounds since selecting Javon Kinlaw in the first round of the 2020 draft.
While Collins should be able to give the 49ers solid piece against the run in his rookie season, Collins has the athleticism and body type to develop into a pass rusher from the interior defensive line.
Alongside Williams, Collins should give star pass rusher Nick Bosa some much-needed coverage on the defensive line.
After a disappointing performance from a veteran-led group in 2025, the 49ers will boast a younger, new look defensive line group with a pair of top draft picks in 2025 with Robert Salah as the play caller on defense.
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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