Robert Saleh Sees Alfred Collins and 49ers Young Defensive Front Ready to Explode in 2026

The San Francisco 49ers invested heavily in their defensive front last year. They grabbed Mykel Williams in the first round, Alfred Collins in the second, and CJ West in the fourth. An injury limited Williams, but former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh believes the trio is just getting started.

Saleh, now head coach of the Tennessee Titans, sat down with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco at the American Century Championship golf tournament. He singled out Collins as the biggest surprise from that entire draft class.

“It’s a shame Mykel’s season got cut short. Really excited for CJ West and his development, even Alfred. 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.”

— Robert Saleh, via NBC Sports Bay Area

The words landed with weight. Saleh watched these guys develop up close. He saw the daily grind. He saw the jumps in technique and confidence. Now, from afar, he still tracks their progress.

Collins Delivered as a Rookie — and the Tape Shows Clear Growth

Collins came in as a run-stuffing defensive tackle out of Texas. He played all 16 games and put up respectable numbers for a first-year interior lineman: one sack, four quarterback hits, 17 tackles, and four tackles for loss.

The moment everyone remembers came in Week 5. The 49ers hosted the Los Angeles Rams in overtime. Collins punched the ball loose right at the goal line. The turnover helped flip the game and secure the win.

Those numbers only tell part of the story. The real story showed up in the film room and on the practice field. Collins kept stacking improvements week after week. Saleh noticed.

“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.”

— Robert Saleh

Why the Improvement Trajectory Matters for 2026

Collins did not arrive as a polished pass rusher. He arrived as a thick-bodied run defender who refused to stay one-dimensional. Every padded practice and every game rep added new layers. That kind of steady climb usually signals a player who stays in the building late and studies extra.

A full offseason changes everything. Collins now has another year of NFL coaching, another year in the weight room, and another year learning the nuances of stunts and twists. The gap between “good rookie” and “problem for opposing offensive lines” narrows fast when the work ethic matches the talent.

Mykel Williams felt the same hunger before his season ended early. He tore his ACL and lateral meniscus in Week 9 against the Giants. The injury wiped out the final 10 games after he had already shown flashes in nine appearances (20 tackles, one sack). Williams is expected back healthy for Year 2, ready to line up opposite Nick Bosa and create chaos on the edge.

CJ West quietly grew into a reliable rotational piece. He improved as the season progressed and gives the front valuable depth.

New Additions Create the Right Kind of Pressure

The 49ers did not chase a big-name free agent to overhaul the interior. Instead they signed veteran Osa Odighizuwa for immediate production and stability. They also drafted Gracen Halton in the fourth round of the 2026 draft to add another young body with upside.

Those moves do more than fill roster spots. They raise the daily standard. Collins now competes against proven NFL production in Odighizuwa and against fresh athleticism in Halton. That environment rewards the hungriest players — exactly the profile Saleh described.

The front office clearly believes the 2025 draft class can carry a heavy load. Saleh’s public endorsement from Tennessee reinforces that the foundation is already there.

What to Watch When Training Camp Opens

Collins enters camp with momentum and clear expectations. Williams returns from injury with something to prove. West continues building on late-2025 progress. The entire group benefits from Odighizuwa’s leadership and Halton’s push.

Opposing offenses will notice the difference early. Fewer easy runs between the tackles. More pressure up the middle. More negative plays that tilt field position.

Saleh saw it coming months ago on that Tahoe golf course. The rest of the league is about to see it on Sundays.