How 49ers 2nd-round pick fits on overhauled D-line
How 49ers 2nd-round pick fits on overhauled D-line
On the way to a disappointing 6-11 record in the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers' defense ranked No. 18 in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game with 124.6 yards per game. In seven games, the 49ers allowed over 150 yards on the ground, including 220 yards to the Buffalo Bills in an ugly 35-10 loss in the snow.
Along with already allowing a significant amount of yards on the ground, the 49ers' defensive front went through a flurry of changes in the offseason. Players like Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd have all exited Santa Clara.
With their first two picks in the 2025 edition of the NFL draft, the 49ers addressed their holes on the defensive line, but with a specific set of traits.
After landing one of the top run-stuffing edge players in the first round with Georgia's Mykell Williams, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan added another defensive line prospect in the second round that should be able to impact the run defense on day one.
With the No. 43 overall pick, the 49ers added Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins in the second round. The 6-foot-6, 330 lb defensive tackle racked up 18 tackles for loss in 64 career games in Austin.
In his final season with the Longhorns, Collins earned an 85.0 run defense grade with Pro Football Focus in 287 run defense snaps. Collins notched an 87.2 overall grade, rating No. 9 overall, in front of first-round picks, Derrick Harmon, Tyleik Williams and Kenneth Grant.
As a run-stopping big man in the center of the defense, Collins should give the 49ers they haven't had in recent years. The 49ers haven't added a defensive tackle in the first two rounds since selecting Javon Kinlaw in the first round of the 2020 draft.
While Collins should be able to give the 49ers solid piece against the run in his rookie season, Collins has the athleticism and body type to develop into a pass rusher from the interior defensive line.
Alongside Williams, Collins should give star pass rusher Nick Bosa some much-needed coverage on the defensive line.
After a disappointing performance from a veteran-led group in 2025, the 49ers will boast a younger, new look defensive line group with a pair of top draft picks in 2025 with Robert Salah as the play caller on defense.
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jacksonville Jaguars sign Travis Hunter to record setting contract
Jacksonville Jaguars' second overall pick, Travis Hunter, has signed a record-breaking rookie contract. The Jaguars announced on Sunday afternoon that they signed Hunter, who was one of the last few remaining first-round picks who was unsigned up to this point. Advertisement According to Adam Schefter, what makes this deal record-breaking is that it includes a $30.57 million signing bonus that is paid entirely up front. This makes Hunter the first non-quarterback who wasn't drafted first overall to receive his entire signing bonus up front. (Please note that this article will be updated.) This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Travis Hunter signs record setting rookie contract with Jaguars
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shedeur Sanders Shows True Character After Two Speeding Tickets
Shedeur Sanders Shows True Character After Two Speeding Tickets originally appeared on The Spun. Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback, has been pulled over twice in the last month for speeding. Advertisement The fifth round NFL Draft pick out of Colorado was reportedly pulled over early on Tuesday morning for allegedly driving 101 MPH. He was issued a citation and he could appear in court, if he chooses to fight the ticket. This was reportedly the second time in a month that the former Colorado Buffaloes star quarterback was pulled over for alleged speeding. The Browns say that Sanders is taking care of his tickets. Sanders, meanwhile, admitted that he needs to do better. May 10, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) talks to the media during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesKen Blaze-Imagn Images. Sanders has admitted that he has made some "wrong choices" in his personal life. He is vowing to get better. 'I made some wrong choices personally and I can own up to them,' Sanders said at teammate David Njoku's charity softball game. 'I made some, you know, not great choices. . . . I learned. I learned. . . . I learned.' Advertisement Sanders deserves to be punished for his speeding incidents. One is a mistake, two is a pattern. The last thing Sanders and the Browns need is for him to develop a pattern of misbehavior off of the field. The Browns have seen it before with other quarterbacks. They obviously do not want it to happen again with Sanders. Sanders, the son of legendary NFL star Deion Sanders, should know better at this point. He's been in the spotlight for a while and he understands that he's fighting an uphill battle just to make the Browns roster. He cannot afford to make these kind of mistakes off of the field while competing for a roster spot on the field. Thankfully, it sounds like Sanders understands he needs to do better. Admitting you have a problem is the first step and it sounds like Sanders knows that he's made some wrong choices personally. Advertisement Hopefully, the fifth round NFL Draft pick will learn from this and improve moving forward. Shedeur Sanders Shows True Character After Two Speeding Tickets first appeared on The Spun on Jun 22, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Jayden Daniels Takes Shot At Eagles Corner During Fanatics Fest
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After completing one of the most electrifying rookie seasons in NFL history, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels isn't backing down from the rising expectations ahead of his second year. Selected No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels quickly flipped the fortunes of a struggling franchise. The former LSU standout helped Washington rebound from a four-win season to a Wild Card berth, then led a stunning postseason run that included road upsets over the Buccaneers and Lions. The Commanders' Cinderella story ultimately ended in the NFC Championship Game against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, but the message was clear: Daniels had arrived. Daniels finished his rookie season with 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and another 891 yards and six scores on the ground. More impressively, he displayed rare poise under pressure, becoming a difference-maker in the biggest moments. Now heading into his sophomore season, Daniels is eager for even greater challenges, and he's not shy about who he wants to face. Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders smiles after an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders smiles after an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa, a recent panel appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York City alongside Hall of Fame quarterbacks Dan Marino and Joe Montana, Daniels was asked which defensive back he's most excited to face in 2025. Eagles corner Quinyon Mitchell was suggested, but Daniels opted for a different answer. "Quinyon is a good choice. But this year, I would probably say that I'm excited to go against Pat Surtain." Jayden Daniels was asked about the toughest CB to face in the NFL right now. 🤔 He said that Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell was a good choice but that wasn't his answer: — Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) June 21, 2025 Mitchell had a tremendous rookie season himself, locking down top receivers and finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Rams edge-rusher Jared Verse. Daniels threw for five touchdowns in a comeback win against Philadelphia in Week 16. Mitchell got his revenge in the NFC Championship Game, in which Daniels had a 2.8 passer rating when targeting Mitchell as the primary defender. While the NFC East rivalry with the Eagles ensures Daniels will get two cracks at Mitchell, it's the Week 13 Sunday Night Football matchup against Denver that has Daniels' attention. The Broncos' defense, led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, finished as the league's top unit in 2024. The Commanders made key additions this offseason to build around their young star quarterback. They acquired former All-Pro WR Deebo Samuel from the 49ers and 5x Pro Bowl OT Laremy Tunsil, in addition to re-signing TE Zach Ertz and WR Noah Brown. If last season was any indication, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders aren't going to stand by idly while the Eagles win championships. Week 16 vs. the Eagles. One of Jayden Daniels' many last-minute wins this season ⏰@JayD__5 | @Commanders 📺: #WASvsPHI – Sunday 3pm ET on FOX 📱: Stream on @NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2025 For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
