Collins, a 2016 third-round pick, is familiar with the 49ers’ 4-3 defense. Last year, he had 41 tackles and matched his career high with five sacks in his first season with head coach DeMeco Ryans, who served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator the previous two seasons. Collins had a career-best 18 quarterback hits and helped anchor the NFL’s sixth-ranked run defense.

Collins has 25.5 sacks in an eight-season, 112-start career that included stints with the Cowboys (2016-2019) and Raiders (2020) before he joined the Texans in 2021. He needs to pass a physical for the trade to become official.

Collins will join a defensive line that will have decidedly new look in 2024. He joined the 49ers after they agreed to terms with defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (Browns) and edge rushers Leonard Floyd (Bills) and Yetur Gross-Matos (Panthers) the previous two days.

Elliott figures to assume the role of backup formerly held by Javon Kinlaw, who agreed to terms with the Jets this week. Floyd and Gross-Matos likely will replace Chase Young and Randy Gregory, who are were acquired in trades in October and are unrestricted free agents.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/article/49ers-acquire-dt-maliek-collins-trade-texans-18971118.php