Alfred Collins

Summary

Alfred Collins was selected in Round 2 (#43 Overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft out of University of Texas. With the Longhorns, Collins appeared in 64 games over five seasons, he compiling  142 total tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, along with pass deflections, a forced fumble, and an interception. In his final 2024 season he started all 16 games and posted 55 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and a blocked kick, earning Associated Press Second‑Team All‑American honors. Collins is a “plug‑and‑play” run‑stuffer known for his rare size, length, and power combination, a strong anchor against the run, high effort, and work‑ethic.

Strengths

• Elite size, length & physical build: At 6'6" and ~332 pounds with a very long arms/wingspan, Collins possesses the prototypical frame of a NT/3‑tech giving him substantial natural leverage and reach.

• Run‑defense / Anchor ability: He demonstrates excellent power at the point of attack, can take on double teams, hold the line, and clog running lanes ideal for anchoring an interior defensive front.

• Block‑shedding & gap recognition: Collins is adept at reading blocks and maintains good pad level and leverage to allow him to disengage from linemen.

• Ball awareness & high effort: In 2024, Collins broke up 7 passes showing awareness to disrupt passing lanes at the line of scrimmage and keep his eyes on the passer through his pursuit.

Weaknesses

• Pass-rush polish & limited sack upside: Collins doesn’t boast elite sack production even for his role as an interior rusher, which may limit him to being an early down run stuffing role player early in his career.

• Limited first step quickness & explosiveness: While he has size and strength, he doesn’t yet consistently show elite explosiveness or bend which may limit his ability to penetrate and win one‑on‑one in the NFL without further technique development.

• Pass rush move arsenal still loading: Given his profile as predominantly a run defender, Collins is still adding pass rush arrows to his quiver and needs to develop some more moves in addition to bull rushing at the next level.

• Adjustments to NFL speed & strength of interior OL: As with many college DTs, adapting to pro-level double-teams, quicker blockers, and power schemes may take time; his length helps, but technique and pad level must be refined.

Outlook

Collins projects as a classic two‑gap, run‑stopping defensive tackle — a foundational interior presence for a front‑seven aiming to stop the run and control the line of scrimmage. In the 49ers’ defense, he should be well‑suited to early‑down run scenarios, short-yardage, and as a rotational interior disruptor from the 3-technique spot on goal line or early run downs while moving to 1-technique for intermediate pass situations. If he continues to develop by refining his hand work, pad level, and awareness, he could become a core defensive‑line staple who helps anchor the middle of the defense for years. The downside risk is that he remains more of a situational or run‑down specialist rather than evolving into a three‑down disruptor. But given his physical traits, production history, and work ethic, he has the base to be a very valuable and long-term starting interior lineman in the NFL.