49ers re-sign CB’s Dontae Johnson and Jason Verrett to one-year deals

The San Francisco 49ers today announced they had re-signed CB Dontae Johnson and CB Jason Verrett to one-year deals.

Johnson (6-2, 200) originally entered the NFL as the second of two fourth-round draft picks (129th overall) by the 49ers in the 2014 NFL Draft. Throughout his seven-year career with San Francisco (2014-17 & 2019), the Seattle Seahawks (2018), Buffalo Bills (2018), Arizona Cardinals (2018) and Los Angeles Chargers (2019), he has appeared in 73 games (22 starts) and registered 151 tackles, 21 passes defended and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns.

In 2019, Johnson re-signed with the 49ers on May 28, was released on August 30. He signed with the Los Angeles Chargers and appeared in two games prior to being released on September 28. Johnson re-signed with San Francisco on October 3 and appeared in seven games and registered two tackles.

A 28-year-old native of Pennington, NJ, Johnson attended North Carolina State University. In 50 games (28 starts) over four seasons with the Wolfpack, he finished with 217 tackles, ten passes defended, 4.0 sacks, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. As a senior in 2013, he started all 12 games and registered 82 tackles, a team-high three interceptions, two passes defended, and one forced fumble.

Verrett (5-10, 188) originally signed with the 49ers as a free agent on March 14, 2019. He appeared in one game and was later placed on the Injured Reserve List on October 3, where he spent the remainder of the season.

The San Diego Chargers originally drafted Verrett in the first round (25th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. Throughout his six-year career with the Chargers (2014-18) and 49ers (2019), he appeared in 26 games (22 starts) and registered 80 tackles, 19 passes defended and five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). In 2015, Verrett was selected to the Pro Bowl after appearing in 14 games (13 starts) and finishing with career highs in tackles (47), passes defended (11), interceptions (three), and the first interception returned for a touchdown in his career.

A 28-year-old native of Fairfield, CA, Verrett attended Texas Christian University for three years (2011-13) after spending the 2010 season at Santa Rosa (CA) Junior College. With the Horned Frogs, he appeared in 37 games (34 starts) and registered 160 tackles, 35 passes defended and nine interceptions. As a senior in 2013, he was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and earned First-Team All-Big 12 and Second-Team All-America honors.

Verrett had a golden opportunity in 2019 but gave up two big plays, and that was the last we saw from the promising, yet oft-injured cornerback. The 49ers are high enough on Verrett’s talent to give him another shot.