The Missing Piece

The 49ers unveiled their new defensive scheme under first year Defensive Coordinator (DC) Nick Sorensen against a dynamic Jets offense on Monday Night. It looked like something we’ve never seen under the Kyle Shanahan regime. 

For five years the 49ers' Achilles heel on defense has been stopping the run between the tackles. In 2023 they allowed the 5th most yards per carry (ypc) in all of football. This offseason the 49ers found a gem on defense that solves that and more.

On March 13th the 49ers made a trade with the Houston Texans acquiring defensive tackle (DT) Maliek Collins in exchange for a 7th round pick. Collins is an enforcer in the trenches, coming in at 311 lbs. 

Collins is the type of player the 49ers thought Javon Kinlaw was going to be. The 49ers used their 13th overall pick in the 2020 draft on the young DT. Kinlaw dealt with numerous injuries in his four seasons with the red and gold. Kinlaw left in free agency this past offseason and signed with the New York Jets. The 49ers replaced him with a far better talent.

Collins is a run stopping machine on any running back that comes his way. On Monday night against an elite running back in Breece Hall, Collins dominated. 

The 49ers held Hall to a measly 3.4 ypc on 16 attempts. Collins was a huge contributor in stopping the pro bowl running back. He racked up two tackles and recovered a fumble forced by the 49ers captain, Fred Warner. 

The main reason Collins is having so much success on this stout defensive front is because he is the last guy teams need to worry about. The 49ers have three elite pass rushers starting alongside him, making Collins’ life so much easier than in previous years. 

The Jets were mostly focused on former Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) Nick Bosa, and Leonard Floyd, the man lined up across from him. Both Floyd and Bosa recorded multiple quarterback pressures in Monday's game. Floyd recorded a sack against the future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers. 

Somehow this 49er defensive line seems to improve every single year, and this is the best one they have had in years. Their pass rush will disrupt teams like never before, but this run defense is going to dominate elite running backs every week. 

The 49ers go up against plenty of great running backs to start the season. On Sunday they take on the Vikings Aaron Jones. Jones, the former Packer, has given the 49ers a hard time in the past. The following week they’ll take on the Rams Kyren Williams. These are two elite running backs the 49ers will need to gameplan for, look for Maliek Collins to dominate the trenches once again. 

Nick Sorensen’s job could not be easier for a first-year coordinator. It looks like John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have finally struck gold with the defensive tackle position.