The San Francisco 49ers are rebuilding their defensive identity with a bold one-two punch this offseason. Months after bringing back defensive mastermind Robert Saleh to resurrect their faltering defense, the organization doubled down by selecting Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins with the 43rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Standing at an imposing 6-foot-6 and 332 pounds, Collins joins the 49ers as a potential cornerstone in Saleh’s revamped scheme. The selection signals San Francisco’s determination to address their defensive struggles after finishing last in the NFC West during the 2024 season.
Robert Saleh Returns With Message of Urgency as 49ers Add Alfred Collins to the Trenches
The reunion between Saleh and the 49ers brings renewed energy to a defensive unit desperate for direction. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner shared the coordinator’s first message: “He addressed the room, of course, just kind of letting everybody know how excited he is to be back in the red and gold with the good guys again.”
Warner emphasized how much had changed since Saleh’s departure following the 2020 season. “It’s crazy that he only knows about three or four guys from when he was here last time; it’s a whole new group. It’s all of us, man. We’re all here trying to get to know each other again, build that camaraderie, and just build from the ground up.”
The 49ers’ second-round selection directly addresses their need for interior defensive line strength. The Texas Longhorns standout brings an impressive college resume with 141 tackles, 18 for loss, seven sacks, and 12 passes defensed over his five-year collegiate career spanning more than 1,800 snaps.
Collins’ senior season showcased his disruptive potential with 55 tackles and first-team All-SEC honors. His presence was instrumental in Texas allowing just 109 rushing yards per game in 2024, establishing him as one of college football’s premier run stoppers.
Scouts view Collins as an excellent fit for the 49ers’ Wide 9 defensive front, which demands tackles who can anchor against double teams. His length and power make him a potential day-one starter, though he still has room to develop as a pass rusher.
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The pairing represents San Francisco’s commitment to evolution rather than stagnation. As Warner said about Saleh: “He understands that you can’t just continue to run the same thing and expect different results; you’ve got to evolve.” With Collins anchoring the trenches and Saleh’s defensive mind at the helm, 49ers fans have reason for optimism after allowing a fourth-worst 25.6 points per game last season.
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