The San Francisco 49ers brought in several lesser-known cornerbacks during the offseason to fill gaps left by free-agent departures like Charvarius Ward and Isaac Yiado. Among these acquisitions is Siran Neal, a 30-year-old veteran who entered the NFL in 2018 as a fifth-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills and spent six years there before playing the 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins. Neal, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 206 pounds, has mainly made his mark as a special teams specialist rather than a defensive starter, having started only one game in 114 career appearances and mostly contributing on special teams.
The 49ers signed Neal to a two-year contract valued at up to $4 million, with $2.255 million fully guaranteed. This significant guaranteed money signals that the team, particularly special teams coordinator Brant Boyer who previously coached Neal in the AFC East, views Neal as a vital part of restoring the 49ers’ struggling special teams unit rather than a mere training camp body. Neal’s durability—never missing more than a single regular-season game in a year—and his extensive special teams experience make him a reliable asset for the 49ers.
Therefore, despite Neal not being a defensive cornerstone, he is effectively assured a spot on San Francisco’s 53-man roster for the 2025 regular season, primarily for his contributions on special teams. The substantial financial commitment and Boyer’s confidence in Neal underscore the likelihood that the 49ers will keep him as a special teams ace to help improve that facet of their game.
Leave a Reply