SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers found a big body for the center of their new defense when Earl Mitchell agreed to a four-year deal worth $16 million overall.
The 49ers beat out three other teams -- Seattle, Atlanta and Denver -- in landing Mitchell, who goes 6-3, 310 pounds and will play the run-stuffing defensive tackle role in the team's 4-3 defense. Seattle and Atlanta play a similar defense to the one new coordinator Robert Saleh will install this year.
Saleh, 38, spent time as a Seattle defensive assistant before following ex-Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to Jacksonville for three seasons.