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49ers Risk On Freakish Rookie Alfred Collins Promises Major Payoff

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Landon Holifield | Last updated May 12, 2025 9:14 PM ET

When the San Francisco 49ers selected Alfred Collins in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they weren’t just drafting the player he was at Texas — they were betting on the player he could still become.

At nearly 6-6 and 332 pounds, Collins brings a rare combination of size, length, and athleticism that you simply can’t coach. The bloodlines are real too: his cousin, Trent Brown, made a career out of being a freakish athlete in an oversized frame, and Collins flashes some of that same rare movement ability — just from the other side of the ball.

But what made Collins a second-round risk rather than a top-20 lock wasn’t the tools — it was the tape.

At Texas, Collins never consistently dominated the way his measurable's suggested he could. His flashes were undeniable, but there were stretches where he disappeared. Some of that was technical, some of it was motor, and some — as quietly noted by scouts — was about the processing and feel for the game.

"Alfred Collins may not be a household name yet, but he should be. Let's call it like it is: it's a contract year and he's making himself a lot of money."

️ @TheLandoShow #HookEm pic.twitter.com/Lfx1k4yXK3
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) November 7, 2024

Still, this isn’t some raw “project.” This is a freak talent who just needs refinement.

Collins isn't going to pop as a premier playmaker in one specific area, but he plays hard and brings an elite blend of physical traits that project beautifully into an NFL defensive rotation. He's quick laterally, can disrupt zone blockers’ landmarks in a hurry with his quickness and length, and has the stride to shoot gaps and press upfield.

 In 2024 he stepped his game up by refining the one thing that was truly holdign him back: pad level. It can be hard for a 6-6 guy to consistently be the "low man" but when his pad level was right, he was a problem. 

Third play here says it all:

There’s no such thing as a cant-miss prospect, but it’s really hard to imagine a team drafting Alfred Collins and their run defense not immediately improving. Dude sheds blocks like he's pulling weeds in the yard pic.twitter.com/4hwLccloyx
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 13, 2025

You’re talking about a defender who:

• Has an A+ body type with a well-proportioned frame and premium arm length.

• Mirrors lateral steps with natural quickness.

• Widened his base in 2024 and set firm anchors against double and triple teams.

• Keeps eyes on the quarterback and bats down passes consistently.

• Flashes bull-rush potential that could become a weapon with refinement.

The 49ers aren’t betting on a maybe. They’re betting on a near-finished product that just needed the right environment, the right coaching, and a little more polish.

Because the size, talent, versatility, and toughness? That’s already in the building.

And if San Francisco taps into it — they’re not just getting depth. They’re getting a future starter who could quietly become a cornerstone.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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