Collins, the NFL’s leading rusher, had one sack, four QB hits, 17 tackles and four tackles for loss in 16 games in his rookie campaign. He famously fumbled a goal line against the Los Angeles Rams in overtime in Week 5.
Saleh believes that with a full offseason under his belt, the second-year DT will improve significantly.
“As the season went on, I really think he’s going to be special,” Saleh said. “His mindset to get better, his work ethic, he’s only going to get better. And when he gets going, he’s a bear to quit.”
Even from Tennessee, Saleh’s confidence in Collins and the rest of the young defense underscores part of the reason the Niners didn’t make the cut by upgrading their performance. Adding the incisive Osa Odighizuwa to the interior and fourth-round draft pick Gracen Halton will offset the expected growth of a second-year defensive class expected to take a leap forward in 2026.