Jerick McKinnon

SANTA CLARA — Fewer than 10 minutes after the Seattle Seahawks released cornerback Richard Sherman, his phone rang. 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan were on the other line, eager to recruit the four-time first-team All-Pro cornerback to the Bay Area.

The seeming consensus is that the team of Lynch, Shanahan, and contract specialist Paraag Marathe have dominated free agency thus far. Pro Football Focus crowned the 49ers as the “early winners” of free agency.

SANTA CLARA — Jerick McKinnon is finally getting the chance he never had.

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers landed two important pieces earlier this week, acquiring free agent running back Jerick McKinnon and center Weston Richburg.

It came as a bit of a shock when on Wednesday morning, reports came in that the San Francisco 49ers had signed running back Jerick McKinnon to a four-year deal worth $36.9 million.

No career is a straight path. Often times it takes a player a few years before finding the perfect fit to realize his potential.

The San Francisco 49ers are soon to have a new running back.

49ers beat writer Matt Barrows joined Tolbert & Lund on Monday, and provided some clarity on the 49ers’ running back situation, saying that while Hyde’s ship hasn’t sailed, there are two free agents San Francisco may target at the position.