Maliek Collins is a Cleveland Browns defensive tackle and interior pass rusher whose 2025 season was cut short by injury.
Collins was a third-round pick out of Nebraska by the Cowboys in 2016 and has carved out a long career as a disruptive interior lineman with several teams. He signed a two-year, $20 million deal with Cleveland in March 2025 after being released by San Francisco. He recorded 6.5 sacks before a quad injury ended his season in Week 13.
Path to the league
Collins played at Nebraska before the Cowboys drafted him in the third round in 2016. He spent his early years in Dallas and later moved through stops with the Raiders, Texans and 49ers, building a reputation as a pass-rushing three-technique. San Francisco released him in March 2025, and the Browns signed him a day later.
Career highlights
Collins has long been valued for his ability to win as an interior rusher rather than as a run-stuffer. He tied a career high with five sacks in 2024 before joining Cleveland. His two-year, $20 million Browns contract included $13 million fully guaranteed, per Fox Sports.
2025 season
Per ESPN, Collins started all 12 games he played for Cleveland in 2025, recording 6.5 sacks and a fumble recovery before a quad injury against the 49ers in Week 13 ended his season. The 6.5 sacks marked a new career high. He remains under contract with the Browns for 2026.
Sources
- Cleveland Browns: Browns agree to terms with DT Maliek Collins
- ESPN: Maliek Collins player page
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
12 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | browns | 12 | 25 | 15 | 6.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 49ers | 17 | 33 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | texans | 16 | 41 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | texans | 15 | 37 | 27 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | texans | 15 | 29 | 18 | 2.5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | raiders | 12 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | cowboys | 16 | 20 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | cowboys | 13 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | cowboys | 16 | 22 | 10 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | cowboys | 16 | 23 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Defensive Tackle
- Group
- defense
- College
- Nebraska
- Hometown
- Kansas City, MO, USA
- Age
- 31
- Status
- active
