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(Sep 21, 2025 · Week 3)

For teams investing heavily into a rookie core — as the 49ers did by drafting three defensive linemen over 2025’s first four rounds — nothing compares to “the play” that encapsulates how elite they could be when everything clicks. Alfred Collins and his fellow first-year quarterback hunters enjoyed that very scenario during Sept. 21, 2025’s Week 3, as the trio worked cohesively to put inescapable pressure on Arizona’s speedy quarterback, nearly collecting a safety for their efforts. Those types of plays allowed San Francisco to enjoy a 15-13 win over their NFC West foes, moving them to 3-0. More impactful than the statsheet showed, Collins helped force the Cardinals into a 5-of-15 finish on third downs.

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