The San Francisco 49ers started free agency Wednesday by getting some needed help for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo Kyle Long Jersey Youth , agreeing to a four-year contract with versatile running back Jerick McKinnon and a five-year deal with interior offensive lineman Weston Richburg just after the start of the new league year.

The two deals fill holes on the roster with McKinnon expected to replace departing starter Carlos Hyde and Richburg able to step in immediately as the starter either at center or guard.

The team also agreed to a three-year deal to keep linebacker Brock Coyle, who started 10 games last season before undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.

General manager John Lynch said McKinnon and Richburg were both high on the team’s priority list in free agency and he was glad to be able to lock both of them up as soon as the new league year started.

”We see Weston as one of the top young interior offensive linemen in the NFL,” Lynch said. ”His athleticism, intelligence and attitude are a perfect fit for our scheme. Jerick has proven to be an extremely versatile football player whose speed, elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability make him a very difficult matchup for defenses. We can’t wait to get them on the field with their teammates and coaches later this spring.”

McKinnon spent four years in Minnesota, mostly as a backup, after being drafted in the third round in 2014 out of Georgia Southern. He has rushed for 1,918 yards with an average of 4.0 yards per carry Dan Bailey Cowboys Jersey , has 142 catches for 984 yards, and has scored 12 touchdowns.

McKinnon had his most productive season last year, when he ran for a career-high 570 yards while setting personal bests with 51 catches for 421 yards.

McKinnon replaces Carlos Hyde, who is leaving as a free agent for Cleveland. McKinnon has more speed and is a better receiving threat than Hyde and should fit well into coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

Richburg spent the past four seasons with the New York Giants but played only four games last year because of a concussion. He began his career as a left guard before moving to center in 2015. He played there the past three seasons and is considered one of the top pass-blocking players at the position and has the athleticism to thrive in Shanahan’s zone-running scheme.

Coyle had 62 tackles last season in his first year with the 49ers.

”He’s a selfless guy that does everything the right way,” Shanahan said. ”We’ve always known Brock to be a guy we can count on and it was great to see him play the way he did when given the opportunity.”

The 49ers had previously re-signed starting center Daniel Kilgore to a three-year contract last month but Kilgore also has experience at guard and could be asked to move.

It’s been a busy offseason already for San Francisco. The Niners signed Garoppolo to a five-year deal last month before he even hit free agency, signed cornerback Richard Sherman after he was cut by Seattle, re-signed defensive lineman Cassius Marsh and offensive lineman Garry Gilliam and gave an extension to receiver Marquise Goodwin.

These moves have addressed many of the team’s most glaring needs although San Francisco still could be in the market for another cornerback, a pass rusher Denzel Ward Jersey , help at linebacker and a big receiving target.

After losing their first nine games last year, the 49ers underwent a remarkable turnaround. They went 5-0 after Garoppolo took over as starting quarterback and finished the year with a 6-10 mark and plenty of optimism they hope to carry over into 2018.

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The long-awaited contract talks between star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and the New York Giants are going to start relatively soon.

After months of waiting to see how Beckham recovered from a broken left ankle and how the 25-year-old mended his ways, Giants co-owner John Mara said Thursday the talks with player and his representatives will take place sooner rather than later.

”I think this was the time that we always had in mind,” Mara said.

”But I think Odell personally is moving in the right direction. He has come in here with a good attitude. Showed up yesterday with a smile on his face. He’s worked hard. I think he’s ready to go. He’s ready for a great season.”

The 25-year-old Beckham is entering the fifth and final season of his rookie contract. He is to earn $8.5 million this season, but the three-time Pro Bowler whose career has been tarnished by off-the- field issues, wants to be among the NFL’s highest-paid players, certainly the highest-paid receiver.

Mara refused to say how much the Giants were willing to pay, but noted the franchise wants Beckham to stay for a long time.

Beckham Jaire Alexander Jersey , who was injured in early October and missed the rest of the season, helped himself in the offseason by working hard. He attended about half of the voluntary organized team activities and reported to camp on time Wednesday.

Beckham took part in about 50 percent of the plays in Thursday’s workout and later ran sprints on a back field. He looked good.

Beckham has been the catalyst of the Giants’ offense since being drafted in the first round in 2014. In 47 NFL games, the former LSU product has 313 catches for 4,424 yards and 38 touchdowns.

Fellow receiver Sterling Shepard said Thursday that Beckham seems even more explosive this season.

”He wants to show everyone he still has it,” Shepard said.

In a wide-ranging interview with the media on the first day of practice, Mara said he hopes the league and the players union will be able to agree on a national anthem policy. He said the team would wait to see what happened in meetings which he said will take place soon.

”Hopefully we can find a resolution that everyone is open to,” Mara said.

Mara also said he believes 37-year-old quarterback Eli Manning still had several good years ahead of him.

The co-owner also is excited by the unlimited physical skills of running back Saquon Barkley. He is concerned about the hype being thrust on the second overall pick in the draft.

”I think he is capable of living up to it,” Mara said. ”I think he is mature beyond his years.”

Mara says he still has not recovered from last year’s 3-13 season that led to the firing of coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese in early December.

However Devin Hester Jersey , he admits there is a new feeling in the building with the changes made by new coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman.

Gettleman, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in late spring, is doing well and is currently in remission, Mara said.

Gettleman was in the office Wednesday and spoke to the team.

”I don’t think I have ever been around a more upbeat person in my life, particularly going through what he has been going through,” Mara said. ”He is optimistic about his recovery and his ability to work this year.”

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