The San Francisco 49ers are soon to have a new running back.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Carlos Hyde will sign with the Cleveland Browns on a three-year deal worth more than $15 million. A few hours later, Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers have agreed to terms with former Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon on a four-year deal worth $30 million. The average salary of $7.5 million per year would make McKinnon the fourth highest paid running back in the league (behind Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman and LeSean McCoy) based on average yearly salary. It is unknown at this point how much of the contract is guaranteed.
The #Browns are expected to sign former #49ers RB Carlos Hyde, source said. He’s getting a three-year deal worth more than $15M, including $6M in year 1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2018
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
McKinnon, 25, has never been a featured back before, and split time in the Vikings backfield with Latavius Murray last season. McKinnon, a duel threat in the run and passing game, had easily the best season of his career, gaining 991 all-purpose yards, while averaging 9.1 yards after the catch, and catching 51 of the 54 “catchable” passes thrown his way, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF ranked McKinnon as the eighth most effective running back in the league last season.
Hyde’s career with the 49ers ends after four up-and-down seasons, where he flashed potential but was ultimately unable to show enough consistency to warrant a long-term deal from San Francisco. In addition to not-being a great fit in a Kyle Shanahan offense that often likes to use the running back as a receiver out of the backfield, Hyde was graded by PFF as a bottom 10 running back in the NFL last year.
