49ers take DT Collins in second round

NFL DRAFT

202504252019MCT_____PHOTO____SPORTS-FBN-DRAFT-49ERS-COLLINS-DA_1092390062.jpg

Texas defensive lineman Alfred Collins chases down Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt during the first half of a CFP quarterfinal game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 1. TOM FOX — THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS FILE

Image

By Cam Inman

Bay Area News Group

SANTA CLARA >> Two draft picks in and the San Francisco 49ers have two defensive linemen on board.

Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins arrived via their second-round pick Friday, a day after Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams was selected at No. 11 overall.

Defensive tackle became the 49ers’ thinnest position and greatest need following last month’s release of starters Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins.

Collins, at 332 pounds, is the heaviest defensive tackle drafted since 2017 under general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan, the latter of whom is also a Texas product. Collins played five seasons at Texas, accruing 7 1/2 sacks and 142 tackles.

Solomon Thomas (2017, No. 3 overall) and Javon Kinlaw (2020, No. 14) are the only defensive tackles drafted higher by that regime. Thomas got drafted as the initial piece of their defensive rebuild upon the 2017 arrival of Shanahan, Lynch and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the latter of whom returns to that role this season after leaving in 2021 to become the New York Jets coach.

The 49ers have struggled to lock in a formidable tandem at defensive tackle since Buckner was dealt to Indianapolis ahead of the 2020 draft. Thomas and Kinlaw may be their most recent first-round busts at that position, but others in recent franchise history include Reggie McGrew (1999) and Kentwan Balmer (2008). The counterpoint to that are Pro Football Hall of Famers Leo Nomellini (1950) and Bryant Young (1994), plus Pro Bowlers Charlie Kreuger (1958) and Dana Stubblefield (1993).

After five defensive tackles went in the first round, none were snatched in the second round until the Bills traded up to select T.J. Sanders at No. 41 overall, or two spots before the 49ers’ pick. Tight end Mason Taylor went No. 42 to the New York Jets, then Collins’ name was announced by former 49ers edge rusher Julian Peterson at the NFL draft stage in Green Bay.

Previous second-round draft picks by this regime were: wide receivers Dante Pettis (2018) and Deebo Samuel (2019), left guard Aaron Banks (2020), defensive end Drake Jackson (2022) and cornerback Renardo Green (2024).