The San Francisco 49ers headed into this offseason with one of the NFL’s toughest salary cap situations, with only the Chargers having a higher number on their books.
With a sizeable portion of the roster hitting free agency, particularly in the front seven on defense, SF had some work to do.
One of those replacements is on the way, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that the Niners have traded for Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins.
Trade: the Texans are trading defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the 49ers, per source. pic.twitter.com/GxcNL4ARTN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2024
The Niners are giving up just a 7th-round pick in the deal as the Texans continue to stack picks for their rebuild.
The 8-year veteran is still only 28 years old and is coming off a career-high 41 tackles and five sacks in 2023.
Collins spent three years in Houston after spending the first four years of his career with the Cowboys followed by a one-year stop with the Raiders.
Collins is a needed addition for the 49ers, who have already lost defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw and Clelin Ferrell to free agency.
Other 49ers pass rushers and linemen currently in free agency include Chase Young, Kevin Givens, Sebastian Joseph, and Randy Gregory, leaving a ton of snaps behind for Collins to take.
Star defensive tackle Arik Armstead is also scheduled to be released, as the two parties discussed a pay cut but were unable to come to terms on an agreement.
Collins is already the fourth defensive lineman brought in during free agency, as the Niners have also signed Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Jordan Elliott.
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