The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, and former Texas DT Alfred Collins played a big role on defense for the niners.
Collins was drafted by San Francisco in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and despite not really "jumping out" on the stat sheet, he's been very productive for them as a rookie. His size (6'5", 332 lbs.) and strength have been his most impressive traits as an NFL player so far, as he's consistently able to control offensive linemen at the point of attack.
He's been an absolute menace against the run, and is now beginning to be effective as a pass rusher due to improvement in his hand-fighting skills. It was incredibly exciting to see Collins get his first NFL sack of the season last night as well.
Stutter Bull by Alfred Collins. Uses his hand placement to snatch/swim off the block & get the strip sack! #PassRush #InteriorRusher #49ers #MNF #FTTB pic.twitter.com/VGNOLzS51H
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) December 23, 2025
He's been exactly what San Francisco has been looking for on the interior defensive line for the past few years. That defense has been missing a big, mammoth-sized defensive tackle for their defense to build around, and it looks like they've finally found one.
Some really nice work from CJ West against the run.
— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) November 18, 2025
He and Alfred Collins can do the whole immovable object thing very well. pic.twitter.com/o3li0f7Cpq
Collins has totaled 12 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 4 QB hits through 14 games in 2025. Though he's only started one game, his contribution to the defense as a whole can't be overstated enough. He's been constantly shutting down run lanes, plugging gaps, and engulfing double-teams since the moment that he stepped onto the field in the bay area.
It'll be incredibly interesting to see how he does in year two after already looking above-average as a rookie for 49ers DC Robert Saleh.