The San Francisco 49ers needed inside help on the defensive line, so they swooped up Maliek Collins via trade, an interior defender last seen with former Niners defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
What does the former Houston Texans defensive tackle bring to the Bay Area? Time to get to know the newcomer heading to a deep 49ers defensive line.
Who Is New 49ers Defensive Tackle Maliek Collins?
Collins is entering Season 9 in the league while making his fourth NFL stop.
But he’s giving the 49ers some continuity in the front four. Collins played in a 49ers-style defense that Ryans brought over to Houston. As an inside presence, Collins penetrated through offensive lines to deliver 41 total tackles, 19 solo stops, eight tackles for a loss, and five sacks last season — the latter matching his previous best from 2016 while with the Dallas Cowboys.
Collins is anticipated to become a 3-technique presence in a room already featuring Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave. He’s one of two offseason additions alongside former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott.
Yet, Collins became a pivotal trade need for a defense that lost savvy veteran Arik Armstead plus 2020 first-rounder Javon Kinlaw to free agency. He and Elliott are coming in to fill their past roles.
At 28, Collins has been through the rigors of dealing with offensive linemen and knifing through their blocks. He’s adding some needed experience to the inside of the 49ers’ defensive trench room.
Maliek Collins’ Contract Details
The 49ers sent two future seventh-round picks to add Collins during the 2024 free agency period.
Before the swap on March 13, Collins was signed to a two-year, $17 million extension with the Texans before the 2022 free agent cycle started. That included a $6 million signing bonus while earning $8.5 million per year.
According to Spotrac, Collins is set to have a base salary of $8 million for 2024 — which the 49ers will take on according to 49ers insider for The Athletic David Lombardi. The insider adds that Collins can earn approximately $500,000 in per-game roster bonus money.
Collins also carries a $8.47 million cap hit plus $8 million in dead cap money. His last Texans contract even included a potential opt-out for 2025.
Maliek Collins’ Career Stats
Collins should win over 49ers fans with his own history of attacking the quarterback.
He’s produced four seasons of 10 or more QB hits across his eight NFL seasons. In the process, Collins has snatched 25.5 career sacks. He earned his highest number with the Cowboys at 14.5 through his first four NFL seasons with Dallas.
In his three campaigns in Houston, Collins went on to wrap up 11 total sacks, but his numbers increased to five with Ryans coaching him. And under Ryans, Collins delivered a career-high 18 QB hits in 2023 while winning the AFC South together.
As a run stuffer, Collins has shown he’s equally reliable when called upon. He’s racked up 206 total stops including 126 on the solo end. But in his last three seasons with the Texans, Collins either hit eight or nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Here’s one more area that’ll win over his 49er coaches and fans: durability. Collins has never missed anything below 12 games in every season he’s played. Of his 119 games of action, Collins has made 112 total starts.
He’s expected to be a pivotal rotational piece and pass-rushing counterpart next to Hargrave at his new spot in the Bay Area.
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