49ers take another defensive lineman: Alfred Collins in second round
SANTA CLARA — Two draft picks in and the 49ers welcomed two defensive linemen on board.
Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins arrived Friday via their second-round pick, a day after Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams was selected at No. 11 overall.
“I was open to wherever,” Collins said in a video conference call with 49ers reporters. “They’re taking a chance on me. It’s not going to be a mistake. I’m just blessed”
Defensive tackle became the 49ers’ thinnest position and greatest need following last month’s release of starters Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins.
Collins, at 332 pounds, is the heaviest defensive tackle drafted since 2017 under general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan, the latter of whom is also a Texas product. The 6-foot-5 Collins played five seasons at Texas, accruing 7 1/2 sacks and 142 tackles (18 for loss) in 64 games.
The 49ers’ run defense became a glaring liability amid last season’s spiral to a 6-11, last-place record. It ranked 18th (124.6 rushing yards per game) after touting a top-seven mark each of the previous four seasons.
Collins’ answer to stopping the run: “Just grit, pad level, elite hands, great feet play recognition to know when a block is coming to you, and then just getting off your block and doing your job at a high level.”
The 49ers have struggled to lock in a formidable tandem at defensive tackle since DeForest Buckner was dealt to Indianapolis ahead of the 2020 draft. Solomon Thomas (2017) and Javon Kinlaw (2020) are recent first-round busts at that position, and the 49ers have grasped at trying to find solutions, including having defensive ends move inside on passing downs, which is their plan for Williams and Yetur Gross-Matos this season.
Jordan Elliott, Evan Anderson, and Kalia Davis are the only other defensive tackles on the current roster.
Collins said he isn’t familiar with draft-classmate Williams, but both hail from the SEC and that should help their NFL initiation.
“Week to week, you’re going against the best of the best, and also there’s just the work that had to be put in to be good,” Collins said. “You can not put the work in and go play Georgia or Arkansas. So, got a little glimpse of what it is going to be like in the NFL.”
Collins is a cousin of former 49ers offensive tackle Trent Brown, who’s also helped prepare him for the NFL rigors. “I’m ready to work, man,” Collins added.
Earlier Friday, Williams arrived at the 49ers’ facility. The former Georgia defensive end met with coaches, the equipment staff, the media and VIP fans in a whirlwind introduction, although he’s still waiting to be added to the defensive line’s group chat. “I met one of them — I don’t want to mispronounce his name — but I ‘ve got to reach out to Nick (Bosa) and get in with the guys,” said Williams, who was assigned an end-of-row locker that previously belonged to guard Aaron Banks.
Collins also had trouble remembering a 49ers veteran’s name when asked who he looks forward to meeting.
“What’s the linebacker’s name? He’s really good. I love how he carries himself and how he plays,” Collins said in reference to Fred Warner. “All the older guys, I’m going to ask. I’m trying to be in this league a long time. They’ve been in my shoes. I’m picking their brain, for sure.”
After five defensive tackles went in the first round, none were snatched in the second round until the Bills traded up to select T.J. Sanders at No. 41 overall, or two spots before the 49ers’ pick. Tight end Mason Taylor went No. 42 to the New York Jets, then Collins’ name was announced by former 49ers edge rusher Julian Peterson at the NFL Draft stage in Green Bay.
Previous second-round draft picks by this regime were: wide receivers Dante Pettis (2018) and Deebo Samuel (2019), left guard Aaron Banks (2020), defensive end Drake Jackson (2022) and cornerback Renardo Green (2024).
It was the first time since 2020 that the 49ers drafted two players in the first 43 picks, having acquired Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk that year with first-round picks.
Thomas (2017, No. 3 overall) and Kinlaw (2020, No. 14) are the only defensive tackles drafted higher by ths regime. Thomas got drafted as the initial piece of their defensive rebuild upon the 2017 arrival of Shanahan, Lynch and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the latter of whom returns to that role this season after leaving in 2021 to become the New York Jets coach.