There was a lot of excitement surrounding the San Francisco 49ers’ draft class after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, specifically their first five picks, which were used to address the defense.
However, the 49ers still had six other selections in the draft, which they used to add to the skill positions on offense (RB and WR), the offensive line, and the secondary. Among the offensive players they took in the draft, rookie wide receiver Jordan Watkins is getting some buzz with his 4.37 40-yard dash speed.
But 49er fans should not forget about running back Jordan James, whom they took in the fifth round. The rookie running back enters this upcoming season as the team’s RB3 behind the likes of Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerrero.
Just like with any fifth-round pick, they aren’t guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster. That said, James is immensely talented and should fend off the likes of Patrick Taylor, Israel Abanikanda, and fellow rookie Corey Kiner for the RB3 role.
The 5-foot-10 running back is a physical running back who can run behind his pads and also deliver blows at the point of contact. However, don’t let that tough and powerful running fool you, as the former Duck has a good short-area burst, which helps him propel to the second level of the defense.
James also has “good contact balance,” which helps him take contact when running inside the tackles. Lastly, he can be utilized as a weapon out of the backfield. All of these skills perfectly describe what the 49ers look for in their running backs.
Now, James will have to get better in pass protection, which is one way to not get on the field if you can’t pick up the blitz. However, if he works on that during training camp, James could carve out a solid role in the 49ers’ offense.
In his last year with the Ducks, James racked up 1,267 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 233 carries. He also added 26 receptions for 209 yards. With all the speed that San Francisco has in their backfield, James is the perfect complement to what the 49ers are missing.