NFL Rumors: Maliek Collins Traded to 49ers from Texans for 7th-Round Draft Pick

The Houston Texans have made some strong additions so far this offseason, but they did some subtraction on Wednesday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Texans traded veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.

A third-round pick in 2016 by the Dallas Cowboys, Collins spent the 2020 season with the Las Vegas Raiders and signed with the Texans prior to the 2021 campaign. In Houston, he found his stride and established himself as an every-down player.

After setting a career high with 29 total tackles in his first season with the Texans, Collins surpassed that with 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2022. This past season, he appeared in 16 games and improved even further with 41 tackles and a career-high-tying five sacks.

Collins signed a two-year extension with the Texans prior to the 2023 season and will make $8.4 million in 2024. The 49ers acquired him to help replace longtime defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who was released Wednesday after declining a pay cut.

Despite losing Collins, this remains a banner offseason for the Texans. In addition to retaining tight end Dalton Schultz with a three-year contract, Houston acquired Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals and signed former Minnesota Vikings star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter to a two-year, $49 million deal. The team also agreed to terms with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, defensive end Denico Autry and cornerback Jeff Okudah.

After winning the AFC South and advancing to the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Texans are hungry for more success in 2024. Houston's moves so far this offseason have gotten the team started in the right direction.