49ers DT Maliek Collins understands the ‘big shoes to fill’ with Armstead departure

Aug 6, 2024, 10:25 AM | Updated: 10:27 am

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Maliek Collins #96 of the Houston Texans runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers defensive line has undergone a small shuffle this offseason, with Maliek Collins looking to fill in for some pretty big shoes. But at the end of the day, he just wants to be him on the gridiron.

The Red & Gold sent shockwaves throughout the organization when they released long-time captain Arik Armstead over the offseason due to contract disputes. To offset Armstead’s departure, SF traded a seventh round pick to the Houston Texans for the defensive tackle. And while it’d be a big ask for the first-year Niner to replicate his predecessor’s production, Collins understands he has expectations from both the organization and the fanbase.

“I know those are big shoes to fill,” Maliek Collins said to 49ers media during training camp. “I know what he meant to this organization and this community being from [Sacramento]. Somebody I have a lot of respect for. I’m just here to be the best version of myself.”

Collins knows he has big shoes to fill as a replacement for Arik Armstead pic.twitter.com/XkHDfwfEcX

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) July 29, 2024

That sentiment was reciprocated by Armstead himself, seeing the buzz around Collins on social media. Both men have never met face-to-face before, but have love for one another’s game, the true mark of competition in the trenches.

“Never met you, but respect your game,” Armstead replied on X (formerly Twitter). “Don’t let them create that narrative. Have a great season bro !”

While the “narrative” won’t be as egregious as Armstead seems to believe, the idea of Collins coming in as his replacement has already been etched in stone.

The Nebraska alum is entering his ninth NFL season, playing for the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans. Collins is coming off one of his best campaigns in 2023, racking up five sacks, 41 combined tackles and 18 quarterback hits in 16 games. For reference, Armstead had five sacks and 27 combined tackles last season, albeit playing only 12 games due to injury.

While Collins isn’t expected to duplicate that of his predecessor, it’s reasonable to expect consistent production from one of the NFL’s most consistent DTs over the past few years. Especially if his counterpart is looking to take it to another level.

Javon Hargrave will line up opposite of Maliek Collins for the 49ers in 2024, looking to recapture his 2022 form with the Philadelphia Eagles. Early training camp returns show a reinvigorated Hargrave, showing that burst and tenacity that awarded him a four-year, $80 million deal from the 49ers last year.

But being in better shape is only one half of the puzzle, the other is how well you mesh with your new teammate.

“I think we’re going to compliment each other well,” Collins stated on his role with Hargrave. “I think his game, the ability to win at the speed that he wins at, on a fast pace through the A gap, through the B gap, I think it’s something I can learn from as far as speeding up my rushes. I’ve been close a lot, as far as pressures and things like that. I’m learning from him how to speed up my rush and get vertical now.”

“GraveDigger” had similar thoughts, becoming a fans of his while he was with the Cowboys.

“I’ve been knowing him since he’s been at Dallas, just kind of followed him,” Hargrave told NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz and David Carr. “Always said little things to him on some of his pass rush stuff because, of course, he got a mean spin. So we just want a good disruptive [push] in the inside, so I just think it’s going to help me and everybody else out in the inside, too.”

Maliek Collins says his movement ability is his greatest strength as a player. #49ers pic.twitter.com/npLXRBUKsO

— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) July 30, 2024