John Lynch’s first significant free-agent acquisition as 49ers general manager comes in the emblematic form of Earl Mitchell, an eighth-year defensive tackle.

“As soon as Earl hit the open market, he became a priority for us to sign,” Lynch said in a statement Saturday. “A man of high character, he represents everything we want to be as a football team.”

The feeling is mutual in that Mitchell isn’t fazed by the 49ers’ 2-14 record last season.

“They’re building a family-type environment there and that’s something I wanted to be a part of,” Mitchell said on a media conference call.

Mitchell (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) will primarily play as an interior defensive lineman. He agreed to a four-year contract Friday, reportedly for $16 million total and $5.5 million this season. The Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos also hosted him this past week, and he said other teams also offered him deals.

A key selling point to the 49ers, Mitchell said, was his familiarity with two of the new defensive assistants: Jeff Zgonina (defensive line coach) and DeMeco Ryans (quality control), both of whom he knew from his days with the Houston Texans from 2010-13. Lynch and first-year coach Kyle Shanahan both met with Mitchell, who said: “I just got the right vibe from them. They wanted a guy that goes about it the right way.”

“I bring leadership,” Mitchell, 29, said. “I can help out a lot of the younger guys and help out their game. I’m a guy you can rely on to be accountable and do things the right way. Young guys see that. I’m a team game. I take a great amount of pride in run defense and I like to get the young guys together to make sure we’re watching enough tape and are prepared.”

“Earl is a tone-setter who plays the game with a tremendous passion and the effort necessary to win in this league,” Lynch added. “We believe those qualities are contagious and will help to make our team stronger. We look forward to the impact Earl will have on the field, in the locker room and in our community.”

Mitchell spent the first half of last season on injured reserve with a calf injury, after aggravating it in the opener. He had one tackle as a reserve in the Dolphins’ Nov. 27 win over the 49ers.

“I remember playing against those guys, and there’s so much promise that I’m looking forward to the getting-over-the-hump aspect,” said Mitchell, who started the five ensuing games after facing the 49ers.

Mitchell was a 2010 third-round draft pick out of Arizona by the Houston Texans, and after four seasons there, he then played for the Miami Dolphins from 2014-16. In 100 regular-season games, he’s totaled 263 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, five passes defensed and one forced fumble. In five playoff games, he’s totaled 13 tackles and a sack. The Dolphins released him last week.

In his final season with the Texans, he achieved career highs with 14 starts, 48 total tackles and 30 solo tackles. The Texans assistant defensive line coach that season was Jeff Zgonina, who is now the 49ers defensive line coach.

Added Mitchell: “I’m excited to play with people I’m familiar with and guys I can continue to grow and learn.”