San Francisco 49ers head Kyle Shanahan was full of praise when the team signed former Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon. McKinnon to a four-year, $30 million deal Wednesday. The same day former 49ers feature back, Carlos Hyde, signed with the Cleveland Browns. The fourth-year back is positioned to be the starting rusher in San Francisco in 2018.
49ers have big fantasy plans for Jerick McKinnon
The former Minnesota Vikings rusher inked a four-year, $30 million deal with San Francisco Tuesday. We look at the fantasy implications.
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McKinnon got a lot of attention this free agency period after his successes sharing the rushing duties with Latavius Murray in Minnesota this past season. McKinnon rushed for more than 500 yards for the third time in his four seasons in the league. He also flourished in the passing game with 51 catches for 421 yards, including one 100-plus yard receiving game. The 25-year-old scored a career-high five touchdowns in 2017 as well.
Fantasy impact: Mckinnon is not the first rusher who comes to mind when you hear feature back. He offers a lot but has never shouldered the responsibilities of being an every down rusher so far in the NFL. It will be interesting to see how he holds up throughout the season. One advantage he has next year will be working with Shanahan. McKinnon’s talents as a rusher and receiver have lots of potential in a Shanahan offense. He still has a lot to prove and should be considered an RB2 for now. Owners thinking about McKinnon in the 2018 draft can wait until the seventh round before pulling the trigger.
