By officially signing second-round draft pick Alfred Collins, the 49ers provided a framework for the rest of the NFL to negotiate their rookie contracts.
On Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers officially signed Alfred Collins, the team's second-round pick, to his rookie contract. With Collins' deal inked, San Francisco's entire 2025 draft class is under contract, and the NFL can begin to close the book on what became one of the offseason's most closely watched stories.
As we knew before negotiations began, Collins' contract is a four-year rookie deal valued at approximately $10.3 million. However, the contract's over $9 million in full guarantees represents a significant increase over previous years.
Like the vast majority of the league, the 49ers faced unique pressure this offseason to sign their Round 2 selection.
The NFL's second-round draft picks have held firm, demanding more guarantees after both the Texans' Jayden Higgins and the Browns' Carson Schwesinger secured unprecedented fully guaranteed contracts in early May. For months, contract negotiations stalled league-wide as rookies and their agents pushed to set a new standard for the second round of the draft.
That standoff was resolved in part when Collins agreed to slightly less than fully guaranteed terms. His deal sets a new high in percentage for his draft position while stopping short of a total guarantee.
By finalizing the deal, the 49ers and their new defensive tackle provided teams, agents, and other second-round draft picks with a blueprint and a reference point for contract negotiations. This set the stage for teams and agents to reconvene, resulting in a series of contract announcements that will only increase over the coming days.
After Thursday's singing, Collins was able to immediately report to the 49ers' facility for training camp and was cleared for practice, positioning the rookie for a potential key role in San Francisco's defensive line rotation.
In addition to the rookie, the official signing serves as a win for both the 49ers' front office, which has drawn praise for its clear and disciplined approach, and for San Francisco's coaching staff, now able to proceed with molding another young and talented piece of their roster.
Alfred Collins' official signing not only ends uncertainty for the San Francisco 49ers but also provides clarity and momentum across the NFL at a critical juncture on the league calendar.
Written By:
You may have seen Chris Wilson's work on NFL game theory, statistical analysis, and film breakdowns at On SI, FanSided, Niner Noise, LockedonSports, Insidethe49, ClutchPoints, and others. Follow Chris on Twitter @cgawilson.
All articles by Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson
You may have seen Chris Wilson's work on NFL game theory, statistical analysis, and film breakdowns at On SI, FanSided, Niner Noise, LockedonSports, Insidethe49, ClutchPoints, and others. Follow Chris on Twitter @cgawilson.
All articles by Chris Wilson
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers roster moves: D-lineman and O-lineman signed to one-year deals
The San Francisco 49ers have signed defensive lineman Victor Dimukeje and reunited with offensive lineman Nick Zakelj. Both join the team on one-year deals. To make room on the roster, the 49ers released running back Khalil Herbert and offensive lineman Kion Smith. ESPN's Adam... -
49ers rookie De'Zhaun Stribling earns high grade for NFL debut
NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter reviewed the initial slate of NFL preseason games ahead of the 2026 season and assigned a grade to one intriguing rookie from each matchup. The San Francisco 49ers faced the Tennessee Titans to open their preseason schedule, and the star of... -
49ers rookie De'Zhaun Stribling proving himself to Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling has impressed throughout training camp, proving himself to be a reliable target for quarterback Brock Purdy. In fact, plenty of passes have been thrown Stribling's way because his quarterbacks have developed a high... -
49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling emerging as rookie difference-maker
There was plenty of scrutiny when the San Francisco 49ers selected wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Many analysts had other wide receivers higher on their draft boards, labeling San Francisco's selection of Stribling as a...