The 49ers on Monday announced they re-signed cornerbacks Dontae Johnson and Jason Verrett.
Johnson initially joined the 49ers as a fourth-round pick in 2014, and struggled in his first full season as a starter in 2017. The 49ers let Johnson go in free agency that offseason, and he made his way back to San Francisco last year, but didn’t appear in any games.
He’s played in 73 games with 22 starts. He has two interceptions, both of which have gone back for touchdowns. Johnson also has 161 tackles and four tackles for loss.
Verrett appeared in one game last year after signing with the 49ers in free agency. The former first-round pick struggled with injuries throughout his five years with the Chargers, and got hurt again in his first appearance for the 49ers. He was first off the bench to replace Ahkello Witherspoon and got beat on a pair of deep throws for a touchdown vs. the Steelers before exiting the game with a knee injury. He went on IR and didn’t return.
Now he’ll get another opportunity to land a roster spot with the 49ers.
Both Johnson and Verrett are in similar spots where they’re likely battling for roster spots on the back end. Verrett has a shot to grab a starting job if he’s fully healthy and playing at the Pro Bowl level he played at in his only full season in 2015. However, they’ll both face uphill climbs behind Richard Sherman, Witherspoon, Emmanuel Moseley, and possibly a relatively early draft pick.
