The San Francisco 49ers' pass rush ranked dead last in sacks in 2025. That’s a brutal stat. But here’s the kicker: their former defensive coordinator, Robert Saleh, just sat down with NBC Bay Area's Matt Maiocco and spilled the tea on one rookie in particular, Alfred Collins, calling him the "biggest surprise" and predicting he's "going to be special." This isn't just coach-speak, folks. Saleh watched this kid's journey all season, and his take on Collins' development from training camp to game day sounds like they've got something serious brewing.
Rookies Stepping Up and the Brutal Reality of Rookie Seasons
Last season, the 49ers threw a bunch of their 2025 draft class, especially on defense, right into the fire after waving goodbye to some veteran talent. Guys like defensive linemen Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins were out there as starters and key contributors from the jump. Upton Stout, a third-round nickel, got the starting job, and even Day 3 picks CJ West and Marques Sigle saw early action. Seventh-rounder Connor Colby even had a few starts at left guard. It was a mixed bag, though, as rookie seasons often are. Williams showed serious growth in run defense and pass rushing over his first 11 games, but then a torn ACL sidelined him for the whole second half. That's just tough. Meanwhile, Collins and West got pushed into bigger roles at defensive tackle, and it actually helped. The 49ers' run defense got better in the second half when both those guys were on the field. And Stout? After some serious growing pains early on, he was arguably their most impactful defender in the secondary by the end of the year. Sigle and Colby had those early ups and downs too, eventually becoming reserves.Saleh's Shocking Endorsement and What It Means for 2026
Saleh, who had to navigate that young defense through struggles and glimmers of hope in 2025 before Raheem Morris took over as DC, specifically highlighted Collins. He said it was a shame about Mykel Williams' injury and expressed excitement for CJ West's development, but then he dropped the real bomb on Collins. "Like Alfred, 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," Saleh told Maiocco. And then the prediction: "As the season went on, 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." That's high praise! Looking ahead, Collins is expected to start alongside newcomer Osa Odighizuwa at defensive tackle, with West also set for a meaningful role. With Nick Bosa back from injury and Odighizuwa in the mix, the 49ers are desperate to juice up that pass rush after their dead-last finish. They need Collins, Williams (once healthy), and West to keep that development coming strong in Year 2. If Saleh's right about Collins becoming "a bear to stop," those San Francisco D-line worries might just start looking a lot less scary.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.