San Francisco 49ers select Alfred Collins in second round of 2025 NFL Draft

Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Alfred Collins is off the board at the 2025 NFL Draft. Collins will begin his career with the San Francisco 49ers, being selected in the second round with the No. 43 overall pick, following a trade.

Collins played high school football at Bastrop (TX) Cedar Creek, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 78 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

A five-year player for Texas, his draft stock was boosted in a big way during the 2024 season. Steve Sarkisian had to replace two defensive tackles heading into the year, losing Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat to the NFL. Texas hit the NCAA transfer portal but the in-house Collins was arguably the most important of them all.

In 16 games played, Collins recorded 55 tackles, six tackles for loss, and one sack. Seven passes defended is a great number too, for a player on the interior defensive line. Nine of those games were against SEC competition. Texas made a deep run in the College Football Playoff as well.

Collins is more than battle-tested as he looks prepared to make a jump up to the next level of competition. And now, the opportunity has come after his name was called by commissioner Roger Goodell.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Alfred Collins

A scouting report was provided on Collins via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein ahead of the draft. He rated Collins at 6.27, saying the Texas product “will eventually be (an) average starter) in the league. A comparison was even provided, as Zierlein believes Collins has a similar game to Washington Commanders’ DT Javon Kinlaw.

“Collins isn’t going to stand out in one particular area, but he plays hard and has outstanding physical traits to blend right into an NFL defensive rotation,” Zierlein said. “He’s quick laterally to spoil landmarks for zone blockers and has the stride length to disrupt upfield if asked. He added mass in 2024 and was harder to move when his pad level was right, but he can be tardy to shed and tackle a gap over. He has the traits to become a more consistent NFL rusher but the production is still untapped. He’s not a premier playmaker but he has the size, talent and alignment versatility to help fortify a defensive front as an early contributor and future starter.”