49ers announce 4-year deal with DT Earl Mitchell

When Earl Mitchell got a head start on free agency after being released last week by the Miami Dolphins, the San Francisco 49ers managed to sell him on familiarity with coaches rather than past success for the team.

After mostly sitting out free agency last offseason, the Niners beat out Atlanta, Seattle and Denver for Mitchell’s services by officially signing him to a four-year $16 million contract on Saturday. Mitchell will be paid $5.5 million in 2017, a person familiar with the deal said on condition of anonymity because terms were not released.

The 49ers were allowed to sign Mitchell before full free agency begins March 9 because Mitchell had been released by Miami.

Mitchell said he wasn’t deterred by the fact that San Francisco won just two games a year ago, saying he believed in the new direction the franchise is headed.