Maliek Collins of the 49ers got ready for the task of taking Arik Armstead’s place.
I simply want to contribute my skill set and my identity to the discussion.” The first of the 49ers’ two seventh-round picks in the 2024 draft was obtained in exchange for Collins, 28. In addition, the 49ers verified earlier rumored agreements with defensive tackles Jordan Elliott and Yetur Gross-Matos to two-year contracts, as well as a one-year agreement to reinstate Kevin Givens. The 49ers have not yet made Leonard Floyd, an edge rusher, official. Ray-Ray McCloud, a wide receiver and return specialist who has allegedly signed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons, will be joining Armstead on his way out of the 49ers.
None of the departures are shocking, as Armstead’s $17.4 million contract and $28.4 million cap number were troublesome because to his chronic ailments that prevented him from playing. Due to knee and plantar fasciitis ailments, Armstead, who had the longest tenure of any 49er at the time of his departure, only participated in 21 of 34 regular-season games over the previous two seasons.
Over the previous two seasons, Collins played 1,302 snaps for Houston, while Armstead played 859 snaps for the 49ers. Trent Baalke, the general manager of Jacksonville, will give Armstead $51 million over the course of three seasons, according to Bleacher Report.
It’s difficult to say if that amount really represents what Armstead will make in the absence of signing bonus money or making publicly disclosed promises. When Armstead was selected in the first round of the 2015 draft, Baalke was the general manager. Collins, who has two years remaining on his present contract and $8 million guaranteed this season, will likely be significantly less expensive than Armstead should he have chosen to accept a wage reduction.
Collins has a lower center of gravity than Armstead at 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds. He just finished his greatest season under former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans in terms of quarterback hits (18) and sacks (five).
Collins added, “DeMeco contacted to let me know the trade had completed. “I was appreciative of that. That merely demonstrated his character, in my opinion, that he would call and deliver the news himself. He remarked, “I couldn’t be moving to a better organization with terrific people,” when we expressed our gratitude.
After meeting 49ers line coach Kris Kocurek at the 2016 NFL scouting combine, when Kocurek was with the Detroit Lions, he has been following the 49ers coach ever since. He has spent the last three seasons with Houston.
