Maliek Collins

Maliek Collins Bio

Maliek Collins Sr. (born April 8, 1995) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 310 pounds, he plays a physical, interior role on the defensive line. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and has built a multi-team NFL career since entering the league in 2016.

Over the course of his career, Collins has also suited up for the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers. He is widely recognized for his quick first step, ability to disrupt passing lanes, and consistency as a run defender. After nearly a decade in the league, he remains an active and productive presence on Cleveland’s defensive front.

Early Life and Background

Collins was born on April 8, 1995, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Janice Davis and C.W. Collins, a mechanic. He grew up with two older sisters in a working household. His father, C.W., died of a heart attack when Collins was just 6 years old, an event that shaped his upbringing and reinforced his drive to succeed through sport.

Collins attended Center High School, where he emerged as a two-sport standout in American football and wrestling. As a junior, he posted a 48–5 wrestling record and reached the state quarterfinals. As a senior, he went a perfect 48–0 and captured a state wrestling championship. On the gridiron, his senior defensive tackle numbers were equally impressive, including 102 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles.

Following his senior season, Collins accepted a scholarship to play college football at the University of Nebraska. He left Kansas City as one of the most decorated high school athletes in the region, and carried that momentum into his early years as a Cornhusker.

Path to American Football

Collins’s athletic foundation in both wrestling and football gave him a clear path to a defensive line role. His wrestling background developed balance, leverage, and hand control, skills that translated directly to trench play. Those traits, combined with his size, made him an attractive recruit for major college programs.

His senior-year production drew the attention of several college coaches, but Collins committed to Nebraska. The decision to play in a Power Five conference meant stronger competition and a bigger stage to develop his game. By the time he completed his junior season, he had earned consecutive Second-team All-Big Ten honors and was widely viewed as a future professional.

Maliek Collins Career

Early Career (2013–2015)

As a freshman at Nebraska, Collins appeared in 12 games as a backup defensive lineman and quickly adjusted to the speed of the college game. In his sophomore year, he earned a starting role at defensive tackle, where he led the team in tackles for loss with 14, finished second on the squad with 4.5 sacks, and added 13 quarterback pressures and 45 tackles. His play helped him secure Second-team All-Big Ten recognition.

In his junior season, Collins started 12 games at nose tackle, where he often faced double-team blocks. He still managed 29 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 6 quarterback pressures. After that campaign, he elected to forgo his senior year and enter the 2016 NFL draft, finishing his college career with 8 sacks, 19 quarterback pressures, and 23 tackles for loss.

Dallas Cowboys Era (2016–2019)

Collins was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round, 67th overall, of the 2016 NFL draft. He signed a four-year, $3.22 million rookie contract and made his regular-season debut in the opener against the New York Giants. By the second game of the season, his strong play pushed the Cowboys to install him as the full-time one-technique tackle.

On November 9, 2016, Collins recorded his first career sack, taking down Cleveland Browns quarterback Cody Kessler. He went on to start 14 of 16 games as a rookie, finishing with 31 tackles, 5 sacks, 14 quarterback pressures, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Over his four seasons in Dallas, he became a reliable interior presence, missing only a handful of games despite a foot injury and knee setback.

Las Vegas Raiders Era (2020)

On March 30, 2020, Collins signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting with former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. The 2020 season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Collins was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November before later being activated. He finished the year on injured reserve in December before returning for the final stretch.

He appeared in 12 games with 11 starts for the Raiders, registering 15 tackles and no sacks. Although the stat line was modest, the season served as a bridge to longer-term stability, and his experience in Marinelli’s system kept him attractive to other clubs in free agency.

Houston Texans Era (2021–2023)

On March 23, 2021, Collins signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans. He started 15 games and posted 29 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed, and 1 fumble recovery. The Texans rewarded his consistency with a two-year extension on March 18, 2022.

In 2022, he started 15 games and recorded 37 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 2 passes defensed, including a two-sack game against the Miami Dolphins. On June 20, 2023, he signed a two-year, $23 million contract extension. That season, he set a career high with 41 tackles and added 5 sacks, with two-sack games against the Carolina Panthers and the Tennessee Titans.

San Francisco 49ers Era (2024)

On March 14, 2024, Collins was traded by the Texans to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He stepped into a deep defensive line rotation and started all 17 games, finishing with 2 fumble recoveries, 5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 33 combined tackles. His production helped stabilize the 49ers’ interior pass rush.

Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)

On March 13, 2025, Collins signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Cleveland Browns after being released by the 49ers. He started all 12 games in which he appeared, recording 1 fumble recovery, 6.5 sacks, and 25 combined tackles. In Week 13 against the 49ers, he suffered a season-ending quad injury and was placed on injured reserve on December 2.

Driving Style and Strengths

Collins is best known for his quick first step, strong hands, and ability to win one-on-one matchups in the passing game. His wrestling background shows up in his leverage and pad level, allowing him to hold up against the run while also collapsing the pocket. He has produced consistently across multiple defensive schemes, from one-technique to three-technique alignments.

Notable Events and Milestones

Among his career highlights, Collins recorded his first NFL sack against Cody Kessler in 2016, set a single-season tackle high of 41 in 2023, and posted 5 sacks in a season with three different franchises. He has also started every game he has been healthy for in several seasons, underscoring his durability.

Maliek Collins Career Wins

Although defensive tackles are not judged primarily by win totals, Collins has accumulated 37 career sacks, 264 total tackles, 9 fumble recoveries, 4 pass deflections, and 1 interception through the 2025 NFL season. His sack production has been a constant, and he has posted five or more sacks in multiple seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns.

NFL Highlights

Collins has reached the 5-sack mark in a single season on multiple occasions, including his 2016 rookie year with Dallas and again with Houston in 2023, San Francisco in 2024, and Cleveland in 2025. His 2023 season in Houston stood out as his most complete, with a career-high 41 tackles. He has also been a steady postseason-caliber contributor when his teams have reached the playoffs.

Other Performances

In college, Collins earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in both 2014 and 2015, cementing his status as one of the conference’s top interior linemen during that stretch. His college production, combined with his Senior Bowl and Combine showings, helped push him into the third round of the 2016 NFL draft.

Maliek Collins Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Collins was raised by his mother, Janice Davis, and his father, C.W. Collins, who worked as a mechanic. His father passed away when Maliek was 6 years old, an experience that helped shape his discipline and work ethic. He also grew up with two older sisters, who remain part of his close family support system.

Personal Life

Outside of football, Collins is known for his close ties to his Kansas City roots and his family. He has been open about the influence of his late father and his mother on his career, often crediting them for his perseverance. He is widely regarded in locker rooms as a quiet leader and a reliable teammate.

2025 Season Performance

Collins opened the 2025 season as a full-time starting defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, quickly establishing himself as one of the team’s most disruptive interior defenders. Through 12 starts, he recorded 6.5 sacks, 25 combined tackles, and 1 fumble recovery, providing a steady push up front.

His midseason form was strong, and he was on pace for one of the most productive years of his career before a quad injury in Week 13 against the 49ers ended his season. He was placed on injured reserve on December 2, 2025, putting a halt to what had been a high-impact campaign.

Looking ahead, Collins remains under contract with the Browns through 2027 on a deal worth $20 million, giving him a clear path back to the field once healthy. The Browns are expected to lean on his experience and pass-rushing skill as they continue to build their defensive identity.