Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Siran Neal
![Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) in the second half in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) is tackled by Buffalo Bills cornerback Siran Neal (33) in the second half in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4908,h_2760,x_0,y_392/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_dolphins/01j2ejv572xprpac888d.jpg)
The Miami Dolphins added several free agents this offseason, including cornerback and special teamer Siran Neal. Formerly of the Buffalo Bills, Neal was drafted in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has spent all of his six NFL seasons in Buffalo.
Neal saw just 567 career snaps on defense, as opposed to his 1,714 in special teams’ coverage roles with the Bills. Since his rookie year, he has tallied 53 special team tackles, ranking him 12th in the league during this time. He has forced three fumbles on returns, the first in the NFL since 2018.
As a defensive back, Neal has 115 career tackles, four for loss, five passes defended and three quarterback hits with one sack.
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 206 lbs.
- Exp.: 7 Years
- School: Jacksonville State
- How Acquired: Signed as an unrestricted free agent from Buffalo in 2024
2023 In Review
Neal played in all 17 games for Buffalo and participated in 80% of the Bills special teams’ snaps. He saw very limited time as a defensive back, playing just 45 regular season snaps on defense. He finished the season with 13 total tackles.
As per teamrankings.com, Neal was ranked 48th in the NFL in 2023 with seven tackles made on special teams.
Contract/Cap Info
The Dolphins and Neal agreed to a one-year, $1.95 million contract, including a $350,000 signing bonus and $650,000 guaranteed.
Neal’s base salary in 2024 will be $1.12 million with a signing bonus of $350,000, carrying a cap hit of $1.95 million and a dead cap of $650,000 (per spotrac.com).
2024 Preview
The Dolphins can use an “ace” on special teams, as veteran specialist Justin Bethel is no longer in Miami. Special teams coach Danny Crossman will look to seamlessly insert Neal in that role to help a mediocre Dolphins’ coverage game over the last several seasons.
Bethel played 695 special teams snaps over the last two seasons for Miami, so look for Neal to enter training camp with that ace job essentially his to lose.
PREVIOUSLY IN THIS SERIES
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Raheem Mostert
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB De'Von Achane
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Salvon Ahmed
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: T Terron Armstead
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB Shaquil Barrett
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Odell Beckham Jr.
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Braxton Berrios
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Ethan Bonner
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Aaron Brewer
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: RB Chris Brooks
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: LB Jordyn Brooks
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DB Elijah Campbell
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OLB Bradley Chubb
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Tanner Conner
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Lester Cotton
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR River Cracraft
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Jack Driscoll
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Liam Eichenberg
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: WR Erik Ezukanma
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Jody Fortson
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Kendall Fuller
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Neville Gallimore
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Da'Shawn Hand
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Jonathan Harris
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: TE Julian Hill
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: S Jevon Holland
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: FB Alec Ingold
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: T Austin Jackson
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: DT Benito Jones
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: OL Robert Jones
-- Dolphins Training Camp Preview: CB Kader Kohou