On Wednesday, the San Francisco 49ers made a transaction that would strengthen their defensive line, which Arik Armstead formerly manned.
This offseason, Armstead will be released by the 49ers as he declined a pay cut. Armstead was previously selected in the first round.
The San Francisco 49ers did not want to pay Arik Armstead
Given that Armstead’s play has generally been worse over the past few seasons, the 49ers decided not to pay him.
When Armstead recorded 10 sacks in the 2019 season, he won the lottery and received $85,500,000 over the course of five seasons. In the past three seasons, he has only recorded 11 sacks.
The 49ers traded for Maliek Collins
With Armstead heading out, the 49ers traded for defensive tackle Maliek Collins with the Houston Texans, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Collins recorded as many sacks as Armstead in 2023
Collings was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He joined the Texans during the 2021 campaign.
Collins recorded five sacks in the 2023 season, matching Armstead’s total. Over his eight years in the NFL, Collins has amassed 206 tackles, 25.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.
Collins had a rating of 62.7 from Pro Football Focus for his overall performance in 2023.
Last season, he received a higher grade for pass rush (70.1) than for run defense (45.6). Armstead’s performance in the 2023 season was graded 81.9 overall.
