SF 49ers: 5 offensive free agents Mike LaFleur takes to NY Jets
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: SF 49ers Running Back Jerick McKinnon
Usually, spending good free-agent money on a running back doesn’t always translate into success. The SF 49ers found that out the hard way with runners Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon, who despite their notable free-agent deals, found themselves towards the bottom end of the depth chart towards the end of 2021.
McKinnon, coming off his two-year absence from a 2018 ACL tear, might have a few more excuses why last season wasn’t overly productive. A full year back into the NFL fray might just be what he needed to get his proverbial “football legs” back underneath him.
And it isn’t as if the Jets are fully loaded at the position anyway. They could use some tailback depth.
McKinnon will turn 29 years old before the start of training camp. The combination of his age, injury history and so-so production last season likely would warrant little more than a one-year prove-it deal with New York.
Still, the soon-to-be ex-SF 49ers rusher has a rapport with Mike LaFleur anyway, and the ability to translate the dual-threat outside-zone rushing style would be a boost to whoever winds up securing RB1 duties with the Jets in 2021 and beyond.
McKinnon could easily be a bridge option to help LaFleur and Gang Green get to that point.