It didn't take long for doubt to creep into the San Francisco 49ers front office's mind regarding Alfred Collins. The second-year defensive tackle stumbled out of the gates to an alarming degree in his first taste of NFL action before eventually settling in.
Collins wasn't perfect in 2025 by any stretch of the imagination; his playing time and impact fluctuated. He still looked like the physically imposing run-stopper the Niners invested premium draft capital in and showed meaningful growth along the way, though. But the club will need more from him moving forward—which is why they acquired Osa Odighizuwa this offseason.
Many might see San Francisco trading its 2026 third-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for an established veteran like Odighizuwa as an indictment of Collins. However, Matt Barrows of The Athletic believes the move could be a boon for last year's No. 43 pick.
Barrows highlighted Collins on a list of "one breakout player to watch" for every team in 2026, with Odighizuwa's arrival seemingly being a driving factor:
"The 49ers were encouraged by the big man's rookie campaign, which while not spectacular, did include nearly 500 snaps. ... This year he'll be paired with veteran Osa Odighizuwa, creating a pick-your-poison situation for opposing offensive lines," Barrows wrote.
Alfred Collins may quietly be 1 of the biggest winners of 49ers' Osa Odighizuwa trade
Odighizuwa will undeniably make everyone's lives easier. He's a proven starter and top-tier pass-rusher with a relentless motor. His track record of success and ability to wreak havoc in the thick of the trenches will create exploitable matchups for Collins.
The Niners were ravaged by injuries last season, especially along the defensive front. Their sheer lack of bodies thrust Collins into an unfavorable situation. A lackluster supporting cast naturally put greater emphasis on slowing him down on the opposing scouting report.
Availability is one of Odighizuwa's strengths. The ex-Cowboy has only missed one game in his career to date, which came when he first entered the league in 2021. Being able to count on him to take the field and be effective will certainly lessen the burden on Collins.
Not to mention, superstar defensive lineman Nick Bosa is set to return from a torn right ACL suffered last September. Between the reintegration of the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year and Odighizuwa's presence, San Francisco suddenly has a dynamic one-two punch on its hands.
That leaves Collins as the main beneficiary in a complementary role.
Across 16 games as a rookie, Collins recorded 17 tackles (one for loss), four quarterback hits, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, two recoveries and a sack. His efforts yielded a lowly 42.2 overall Pro Football Focus grade, good for 123rd among 134 qualified interior defenders.
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