The San Francisco 49ers are focused on building a strong roster for the upcoming 2025 season, and they know they need to seize every opportunity in the market. One such opportunity is a defensive back who was teammates with Tua Tagovailoa and Josh Allen and will now play in the Bay Area for the next two seasons.
According to Cameron Wolfe, the 49ers are finalizing a two-year deal with Siran Neal, who was part of Tua Tagovailoa‘s team in 2024. Neal appeared in 17 games and recorded 11 combined tackles as a cornerback, based on statistics from Pro Football Reference.
Despite the Dolphins’ struggles throughout the 2024 season, Neal remained steadfast and available for the team all year. He brings a wealth of experience, having joined Miami after spending six consecutive seasons with the Bills, all alongside Josh Allen.
It’s abundantly clear that the 49ers need all the defensive help they can get, especially following the departure of Dre Greenlaw, a move that hit the team hard. However, the organization is optimistic about significant improvements with new coordinators now in place across all areas.
Siran Neal stats and value for the 49ers
Siran Neal has built his reputation as a versatile defensive back, contributing primarily in coverage and tackling. Over his seven-year NFL career, he has recorded 35 completions allowed on 58.3% completion percentage, with 237 yards given up in pass coverage.
While his impact in pass defense has been modest, he brings physicality, as shown by his 126 combined tackles and a history of contributing to the pass rush with two quarterback hits and one sack.
With the 49ers, Neal can add depth to the secondary while bringing experience from his six seasons in Buffalo. His ability to contribute in multiple roles—whether in coverage, special teams, or as a blitzer—makes him a valuable rotational piece. Though his pass coverage numbers dipped in 2023, his tackling ability and versatility could provide much-needed support to San Francisco’s defensive schemes.