Although the NFL offseason is winding down, that doesn’t mean roster changes have stopped. The San Francisco 49ers saw several of their star players leave this offseason — including Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Deebo Samuel, and other key contributors — creating major gaps to fill.
To address those losses, the team is actively seeking new talent that can make an immediate impact. The 49ers brought in a large rookie class through the draft, adding players like Mykel Williams, Nick Martin, Alfred Collins, and CJ West. They’re also looking at undrafted prospects, recently signing defensive back Derrick Canteen to a three-year deal on May 13. To make room, they released safety Quindell Johnson.
Canteen’s Career
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Derrick Canteen played six seasons of college football, beginning his career at Georgia Southern in 2019. He broke out during his sophomore year, recording 48 total tackles and a career-best six interceptions. After an injury-plagued 2021, he returned in 2022 but couldn’t match his earlier performance. Canteen then transferred to Virginia for the 2023 season before using his final year of eligibility at Cincinnati in 2024. At Cincinnati, he started 12 games, posting 44 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one interception.
Over his college career, the 5-foot-10 native of Evans, Georgia, appeared in 54 games, tallying 204 tackles, 32 passes defended, nine interceptions, and 7.5 tackles for loss. In high school at Evans High, he made 61 tackles, eight pass breakups, and two interceptions on defense, while also catching 14 passes for 473 yards and four touchdowns on offense.
What Canteen Brings to San Francisco
Bringing in Derrick Canteen adds valuable depth to a 49ers cornerback room that enters the fall with some uncertainty. While Deommodore Lenoir is locked in as the team’s top corner following his five-year extension signed during the 2024 season, the rest of the depth chart remains unsettled. Renardo Green, entering his second year out of Florida State, showed strong potential as a rookie and could push for a starting role, though it’s still unclear if he’s a long-term solution.
At 24 years old, Canteen brings both maturity and a wealth of college experience, giving him an edge over many other undrafted free agents as he competes for a spot on the 53-man roster. Measuring 5-foot-10 and weighing 193 pounds, he fits the physical profile the 49ers prefer—versatile defenders who can cover well and make plays on the ball. Canteen’s strong tackling ability and ball-hawking instincts make him a natural fit for San Francisco’s defensive scheme, and a strong showing in training camp could quickly put him in contention for a roster spot.
