49ers Sign Defensive Back Siran Neal to Two-Year Deal

San Francisco, CA — The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran defensive back Siran Neal to a two-year contract, as reported by NFL Network‘s Cameron Wolfe.

Neal, 30, joins the 49ers after a season with the Miami Dolphins. He was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Jacksonville State. Over his seven-year career, Neal has gained a reputation as a reliable special teams player.

In 2024, Neal played 431 snaps, with 373 of them dedicated to special teams, underscoring his role as a special teams ace. Throughout each season of his career, he has consistently logged at least 57% of his team’s special teams plays. While with Miami, Neal was predominantly used on special teams, contributing 11 tackles and two passes defended.

Despite his extensive experience on special teams, Neal’s defensive play has been limited. In 2024, he played only 13 snaps on defense, primarily in a Week 13 matchup as a slot cornerback. His minimal defensive snaps (only six in a Week 18 game) illustrate the depth he brings to the special teams unit.

With Neal’s arrival, the 49ers aim to strengthen their secondary depth. Currently, the team appears set with established players like Tre Tomlinson and Tre Brown but still faces challenges in filling a space opposite Renardo Green, with Deommodore Lenoir fitting into the nickel role.

Neal’s addition is particularly timely, as the 49ers struggled in the special teams department last season, prompting a coaching change from coordinator Brian Schneider to Brant Boyer. Neal’s veteran experience is expected to positively impact the team’s performance moving forward.

Throughout his career, Neal has participated in 114 games, with an impressive tally of 2,086 special teams snaps and 625 defensive snaps. His commitment to special teams and depth in the secondary are regarded as vital assets to the 49ers’ overall strategy.