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By Matthew Davis
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The San Francisco 49ers are looking to make a Super Bowl run in 2026, and the defense is going to be a big part of it.
Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh expects big things from second-year defensive lineman Alfred Collins in the process. San Francisco spent a second-round pick in 2025 on Collins, and he produced 17 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two pass deflections.
Those are promising numbers from his rookie season out of Texas, but Saleh admitted that is a growth process for Collins in 2025. Saleh even called it a surprise among the team’s younger defensive linemen between Collins, Mykel Williams and C.J. West.
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“It’s a shame Mykel’s season got cut short. Really excited for C.J. West and his development, even Alfred,” Saleh told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco recently. “Like Alfred, I know he was a second-round pick and all, but he’s still probably the biggest surprise to me in terms of just how much better he got from training camp.”
Collins's strides in year one are a good sign that he could become a new defensive star for the 49ers. Forcing two fumbles and recovering two shows he is an impact player, and it’s safe to say he can produce more in year two.
“As the season went on, I really think he’s going to be special,” Saleh said. “His mindset to get better, his work ethic, he’s only going to get better. And when it triggers for him, he’s going to be a bear to stop.”
Collins is clearly on opponents’ radars after an impressive rookie season. He will have ample opportunities to prove himself more this year as opposing teams game plan for him.
The 49ers need it all the more to make the defensive front Super Bowl-level ferocious.
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