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Alfred Collins

Alfred Collins Player Profile

Summary

Alfred Collins is a large-bodied defensive tackle drafted in the 2nd round (No. 43 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft after a productive career at the Texas Longhorns. At 6′5″ and 332 lbs, he profiles as a prototypical run-defender who can occupy blockers, clog up gaps, and bring length and strength to the interior line. While his pass-rush toolkit is still developing, his early highlight plays (including a key forced fumble near the goal line) show flashes of impact. The key for Collins is whether he can refine his pass-rush moves, remain consistent, and translate his collegiate success to the pro level.

Strengths

  • Size, Length & Physical Traits

    • At 6′5″ and 332 lbs, with reportedly an 85-inch wingspan, Collins has rare length and mass for the interior. San Francisco Chronicle

    • Coaches highlight his good feet and ability to move for a man of his size, which gives him potential in both run defense and passing-down situations. ESPN.com

  • Run-Defender / Gap-Control Upside

    • One of his primary strengths is in stopping the run: the 49ers drafted him in part to help address their run-defense deficiencies. 49ers Webzone

    • At Texas, he played in 64 games and showed durability and consistent availability. San Francisco 49ers

  • High-Ceiling in the Right Scheme

    • The 49ers envision him as someone who can play multiple interior roles: 0-technique, 1-technique, even 3-tech in sub-packages. San Francisco Chronicle

    • His highlight—forcing a goal-line fumble the in his rookie season—indicates his ability to make splash plays despite being early in his career. San Francisco 49ers

Weaknesses

  • Pass-Rush Moves / Refinement

    • While his run-defense potential is strong, multiple scouting reports note that his pass-rush arsenal is limited. He has fewer refined moves off the snap compared to elite interior pass-rushers. Niner Noise

    • As per the preseason reports, he “still has a long way to go” in adding pass-rush skills and finishing consistently. ESPN.com

  • Pad Level / Consistency & Technique

    • Some early observations suggest he needs to continue improving fundamentals such as hand placement, leverage, pad level and disengagement from blockers to maximize his impact. Niner Noise

    • Adapting to the speed and strength of NFL interior blockers and double teams will be a key transition.

  • Relatively Low Sack Production in College

    • While he showed strong run-defense stats, his sack totals (7.5 in five years) are modest for someone being looked at for impact in all three downs. This may indicate he is more of a run-stopper than a pass-rusher at this stage. San Francisco 49ers

Fit & Outlook

Alfred Collins projects as an important interior defensive lineman for the 49ers with potential to start or heavily rotate early in his career. His physical profile and run-defense ability provide a solid floor: he should be able to contribute in stopping the run and occupying blockers, which is extremely valuable for an NFL defense.

For him to elevate beyond that and become a full-time impactful starter (including generating consistent pass-rush pressure), these will be the keys:

  • Continue developing his pass-rush toolkit—moves, counters, explosive first step.

  • Improve consistency of technique: pad level, hand work, disengagement, finishing.

  • Stay healthy and adapt to the physical and mental demands of the NFL interior.

  • Earn trust in the defensive scheme and carve out a defined role (e.g., first- or second-down run-defense specialist, with growing pass-rush reps).

If he makes those strides, Collins could become a foundational interior piece in the 49ers’ defense. Even if his pass‐rush remains limited, his run‐defence floor will make him a valuable contributor.