49ers to sign RB Jerick McKinnon to four-year, $30 million deal

The 49ers did not waste much time finding their next running back.

After it was reported that Carlos Hyde will sign with the Browns on a three-year deal, the 49ers agreed to sign running back Jerick McKinnon to a four-year deal worth $30 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

McKinnon, 25, is a dual threat running back who had 570 rushing yards and 421 receiving yards with 51 receptions with the Vikings last season.

He joins Matt Breida and Joe Williams in the 49ers backfield and gives quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo another weapon in the passing game in addition to receivers Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon.

The Niners also added some protection up front on Tuesday by agreeing to sign former Giants center Weston Richburg to a five-year deal.

McKinnon was also loosely linked as a possibility for the Giants to sign, mostly because of his connection of playing in Pat Shurmur's offense with the Vikings the last two seasons. But the 49ers’ deal for four years, $30 million was not a price tag Big Blue could afford to offer.

The Giants did sign running back Jonathan Stewart on Tuesday to a two-year, $6.9 million deal with $2.95 million guaranteed.