49ers sign running back Jerick McKinnon; Carlos Hyde to Cleveland

A year after they fell head over heels for a free-agent fullback, the 49ers clearly became smitten with a free-agent running back. On Wednesday, they opened the first day of the league year by signing the Vikings' Jerick McKinnon to a four-year contract, which, according to multiple reports, is worth up to $30 million. McKinnon could occupy the lead-back role held the past three seasons by Carlos Hyde, who signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Browns on Wednesday, NFL Network reported. McKinnon enters a backfield that includes fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who joined the 49ers in 2017 after signing a four-year, $21 million deal that easily made him the NFL's highest-paid player at his position.