Robert Saleh has returned to his role as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, but the roster has been shaken up in the three years he was leading the New York Jets.
Heading into 2025, he’s expected to have a heavy reliance on rookies. 49ers’ general manager John Lynch spent their first five selections in the 2025 NFL Draft on defense.
First-round edge rusher Mykel Williams (No. 11) is the obvious highlight, but Saleh highlighted the importance of last week’s preseason debut as a “really good step” for another rookie lineman.
“I felt like Alfred [Collins] took a really good step in the game,” Saleh told reporters in Santa Clara on Monday. Defensive tackle Collins was San Francisco’s second-round selection.
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The Texas product missed OTAs with a calf injury that he suffered prior to being drafted 43rd overall.
“He was way far behind the eight ball (due to the injury),” Saleh continued. “And I felt like this past weekend, especially in the game, he took a really, really good step in terms of strain and power at the point of attack.”
“I think the next step for him is to get off blocks, play with great pad level, and go make some plays. But overall, I thought his footwork was better, his pad level was better. Everything improved. So, if he just keeps stacking up days, he’s going to turn into a pretty good football player.”
Dealing with a condensed lead-up to his preseason debut, Collins had a minimal ramp-up period prior to Saturday’s preseason matchup.
Still, he played 25 defensive snaps against Denver despite not yet being in optimal football shape due to the injury.
Saleh said they’re emphasizing playing “with great violence and effort” first and foremost before diving into run game techniques with Collins.
“He’s got a tremendous mindset,” he said of Collins. “He’s a worker. You can coach him as hard as you need to coach him. And he takes it all in, and he responds. He took a really nice step in the right direction, and he’s just got to continue stacking up those days.”
The rookie will have two more preseason opportunities (Raiders, Chargers) before the regular season begins. As San Francisco’s defensive coordinator noted, the NFL is another level.
Preseason isn’t enough to simulate the real deal, but it’s a step that Collins took advantage of in game one.
More San Francisco 49ers coverage on Sactown Sports
NFL preseason is underway. The San Francisco 49ers have a game against the Denver Broncos under their belt, which featured very few snaps from starters.
Training camp and preseason are always a great opportunity for players deeper down the bench to get some reps. San Francisco’s handful of injuries has added to that.
Rookie running back Jordan Watkins suffered an injury in Saturday’s action, which 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan shared has been ruled a high ankle sprain.
“Those usually take about a month,” he told reporters in Santa Clara.
Read More:
Shanahan planning to be without Brandon Aiyuk until roughly week six
Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule
Preseason
Saturday, August 16th – @ Las Vegas Raiders – 1:00 PM PT
Saturday, August 23rd – vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 5:30 PM PT
Regular Season
Sunday, September 7th – @ Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 PM PT *Season opener*
Sunday, September 14th – @ New Orleans Saints – 10:00 AM PT
Sunday, September 21st – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:25 PM PT
Sunday, September 28th – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:05 PM PT
Thursday, October 2nd – @ Los Angeles Rams – 5:15 PM PT
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