Using a one-game sample size to talk about the 49ers second round pick, Alfred Collins.
The San Francisco 49ers selected a 332-pound defensive tackle in the second round of the NFL Draft. Alfred Collins, who ranks in the 90th percentile or better in height, weight, wingspan, and arm length, possesses the traits necessary to excel at the NFL level.
How does he fit next to Mykel Williams? As you’d imagine, his length, like Williams, sets him apart from his peers and allows Collins to make multiple plays at Texas.
I thought it made the most sense to use his game against Florida this past season to highlight what Collins does well as a prospect.
One of the biggest takeaways from that video is Collins lining up all over the defensive line. He spent half his time during the season at nose tackle or lined up over the center, but there were plenty of clips against Florida where Collins was lined up over both the guard and the offensive tackle. And he’s not just lining up there, he’s winning. It’s not versatility unless you can win in multiple spots.
Instantly, you’ll see clips of Collins holding his ground and using that 90-percentile length to lock out against offensive linemen and make plays. I made sure to include plays that aren’t “special” or “flashy” because that’s not what football is about. It’s about execution. That’s what Collins did.
Another trait Collins shows is a spin and an arm over. In one clip, he waits too long to use his spin, and the offense generates a big play. Later on, Collins executes the spin move quicker, and the result is a QB hit.
I highlighted his awareness on the first play. Any defensive lineman who reads a screen and doesn’t rush up the field like a chicken with his head cut off understands football. They know, “Hey, the offense is trying to get over on me, and this free run at the quarterback doesn’t mean anything.”
One thing you must do as a defensive lineman is make an offensive coordinator pay for using a tight end to block you. There are two plays from the Florida game where Collins absolutely whips the tight end and makes a play. The length and athleticism are on point. You can see some upper-body strength, but you can also see plays where lower-body strength might be an issue.
If Collins gets stronger or simply plays with his feet in the ground consistently while getting into his pass-rush plan quicker, the value at 43 will be difficult to beat. Those were my only two qualms when watching him.
The 49ers have a clear plan up front: winning with violence and length, utilizing versatile defenders. That’s Williams and Collins. Two players you are going to struggle running the ball toward.
Collins is around the same weight as Jordan Elliott, but he brings so much more to the table as a football player against the run and the pass. The 5th-year senior may not have the upside of Mykel, but the floor makes Collins a “safe” player who will contribute to Robert Saleh’s defense right away.