49ers 'encouraged' by 2025 rookie DL amid breakout projection

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The San Francisco 49ers are in good shape with their roster, though they maybe could use another edge rusher. But that last remaining need might not matter if they get good production from two players.

Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins were the 49ers' top-two picks during the 2025 NFL Draft, and while neither broke out in their rookie year, one of these defensive linemen was projected to be the 49ers' top breakout candidate in 2026.

But Matt Barrows of The Athletic, in projecting the 49ers breakout candidate, didn't pick Williams, the first-rounder. Instead, he went with Collins as the breakout candidate, revealing two reasons why the second-rounder could break out in 2026.

Why Alfred Collins is 49ers' top breakout candidate

"The 49ers were encouraged by the big man's rookie campaign," Barrows writes. "... This year he'll be paired with veteran Osa Odighizuwa, creating a pick-your-poison situation for opposing offensive lines."

Collins, despite what Barrows described as a "not spectacular" rookie campaign, did show the 49ers enough for the franchise to be optimistic.

He had a big moment against the Los Angeles Rams, forcing a goal-line fumble, and finished the year with two passes defended, two forced fumbles (two recoveries), one sack, 17 total tackles, four quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss.

There's still a lot of room to grow for Collins, but in 2026, the defensive line around him should be a whole lot better.

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To put it into context, Collins played the majority of the 2025 season without the current starters along the defensive line for the 2026 season.

Nick Bosa missed most of the year due to an ACL tear, Williams played just nine games and didn't really find his footing, and Odighizuwa is a new face on the DL.

Collins has a year under his belt in the NFL, and did enough to have the 49ers encouraged by what they saw. Along with the improved DL around him, it wouldn't be strange at all for Collins to break out in 2026.

While Williams could also break out, his injury-shortened 2025 season might push a true breakout into the 2027 season, especially if the 49ers swing a blockbuster trade for Maxx Crosby or add another veteran edge rusher at some point before the season begins.