Despite twice now departing the San Francisco 49ers, now-Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh likely still considers the Niners his "true" home where he'll always have an open door.
In 2025, when hewas undergoing his second stint as San Francisco's defensive coordinator, Saleh was primarily responsible for helping build a new core of defenders, many of whom were selected under his watch in that year's NFL Draft.
One of those being second-round defensive tackle Alfred Collins out of Texas.
Collins had plenty of up-and-down moments. Amid a contractual standoff—one that spread across nearly every Round 2 pick in the league—the big-bodied defensive tackle wasn't able to get on the field in time for the start of training camp, and the lack of preparation certainly revealed itself into the regular season early.
Despite some occasional flashes of greatness, Collins nevertheless finished his rookie year with an unimpressive 42.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 123rd out of 134 qualifying defensive tackles.
Saleh isn't worried, though. Far from it.
Robert Saleh says Alfred Collins is 'going to be special'
Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco from South Lake Tahoe at the American Century Championship golf tournament, Saleh reflected on his second stint with the 49ers and which of his players stood out the most.
Interestingly enough, Saleh raved a lot about Collins.
"I know he was a second-round pick and all, but he's still probably the biggest surprise to me in terms of just how much better he got from training camp, and as the season went on," Saleh said of Collins. "I really think he's going to be special. His mindset to get better, his work ethic, he's only going to get better. And when it triggers for him, he's going to be a bear to stop."
The Niners potentially made life easier for Collins this offseason, too, by trading for former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, who'll ultimately take plenty of pressure off the second-year pro and allow him to experience more one-on-one matchups.
Additionally, San Francisco won't have to worry about the former Longhorn missing any training camp this go-around since there are no contractual holdups.
Regardless, both Collins and the 49ers hope Saleh is correct in his assessment. If it becomes true, the Niners' lofty investment from a year ago should begin to pay out nicely with the defensive tackle becoming a key piece to a unit Tennessee's head coach helped create.
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