Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick "Jet" McKinnon will sign a four-year deal worth $30 million with the San Francisco 49ers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. News of the signing was first reported by Peter Schrager of "Good Morning Football" on NFL Network. Jason La Canfora reported earlier on Wednesday that the battle for McKinnon was down to the 49ers and the New York Jets.
One of the most surprising deals of free agency will be Jerrick McKinnon's with the 49ers: It is expected to be a four-year deal worth $30 million -- an average of $7.5 million per year, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2018
Carlos Hyde, who was the starting running back for the 49ers in 2017, is expected to sign a three-year deal worth $15 million with the Cleveland Browns, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. While the team held discussions with his agent at the NFL Scouting Combine, San Francisco made little attempt to prevent Hyde from hitting the open market. In 2017, Hyde carried the football 240 times for 938 yards, eight touchdowns, and had a career-high 59 receptions for 350 yards.
It was reported by Pro Football Talk on Tuesday that the 49ers were among the teams showing interest in New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis, who now intends to sign a four-year deal, $20 million with the Tennessee Titans.
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As for McKinnon (25 years old, 5-9, 205), who played college football at Georgia Southern and was a third-round draft pick by the Vikings in 2014, he has registered 1,918 yards on 474 carries with seven touchdowns in his four NFL seasons.
Over the past two seasons, McKinnon has contributed 1,109 rushing yards on 309 carries with five touchdowns. He also added 94 receptions for 676 yards with four touchdown catches since 2016.
McKinnon was a player that Schrager recently named as a player he'd like to see in San Francisco.
"Jet is going to get a lot of interest in the free agency market because he can play both running back, third down, and do a little stuff at wide receiver and special teams," he said.