LaMichael

James

He’s an inch shorter than the Ducks had James listed, but only one pound lighter. James, a likely middle-round pick, is expected to create more attention when he runs the forty. He projects as a rich man’s Danny Woodhead in the NFL.

James also completed 16 bench press reps and a 34" vertical. At 5'8/192 pounds, James will immediately enter the league as a change of pace back and return threat. He has plenty of wear on his tires and prefers to angle towards the sideline rather than stay between the tackles, but James’ speed must always be accounted for. NFL.com’s Gil Brandt says James established “himself as a second- or third-round pick”.

It’s absolutely a luxury pick, but San Francisco could afford it without any glaring needs on either side of the football. An explosive if strictly complementary scatback, James is pint-sized at 5-foot-9, 194, but can be a Darren Sproles kind of “satellite” player in space with 4.41 wheels and a quick first step. Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, and James will be the only backs in San Francisco assured of roster spots. Brandon Jacobs is on notice, and Anthony Dixon could almost certainly be had for a late seventh-round pick.

“Just the unstoppable nature of him at the goal line,” Harbaugh said when asked what impressed him about James in college. “You could not stop (Oregon) once they got inside the 5-yard line.” Harbaugh also believes James is a “proven multi-down back.” On paper, James profiles as little more than a scatback, but Harbaugh has proven plenty willing to be unconventional throughout his coaching career. James should be monitored closely in dynasty leagues.

“My God, no,” Harbaugh said. Harbaugh also claimed the 49ers could enter the season with six running backs; Brandon Jacobs, Kendall Hunter, Anthony Dixon and Rock Cartwright joining Gore and James. The reality is Dixon’s roster spot is in grave danger, while Jacobs is no longer assured of cracking the final 53. Cartwright is expected to serve as a special-teams dynamo. James will cut into Hunter’s snaps much more than Gore’s.

The upshot is that Ted Ginn is likely locked in as the fourth receiver and return specialist. With first-rounder A.J. Jenkins joining Mario Manningham and Randy Moss as 2012 additions, Kyle Williams and Brett Swain appear to be crowded out of the picture at wide receiver.

The Niners drafted James after watching Darren Sproles scoot by with a playoff-record 15 receptions and 119 yards in the playoffs last season. A quintessential change-of-pace back, James will have to prove his talents lie closer to Sproles than Chiefs RB Dexter McCluster.

Cosell expects James to be a “space player” in the NFL, and notes that James “must” improve his pass protection in order to get on the field for passing downs. James had a big name in college and was productive when healthy, but he’s not going to break NFL linebackers’ arm tackles. A situational receiving- and complementary-back prospect, James projects as a second-day pick.

He also had a 10-foot-3 broad jump that ranked second amongst running backs behind only Virginia Tech’s David Wilson (11 feet). James was “unofficially” clocked as fast as 4.37 in the forty, but 4.45 was his electronic time. Russ Lande of the Sporting News believes James may have sewn up a second-round grade.

It’s beginning to look more and more like the Lions will target a second- or third-round running back following Mikel Leshoure’s twin marijuana arrests in February and March. Per the Detroit News, there’s “no doubt” the Lions are also intrigued by Oregon’s LaMichael James -- and perhaps Boise State’s Doug Martin as well.