San Francisco 49ers: 5 worst NFL Draft picks of the last 10 years

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 30: A.J. Jenkins #17 of the San Francisco 49ers slips out of bounds on a reverse play against the San Diego Chargers in the first quarter of an NFL pre-season football game at Candlestick Park on August 30, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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3. LaMichael James, Running Back, Oregon

Statistically, it’s beyond doubt that LaMichael James contributed a bit more to the 49ers than Coffee did, but the reason James is higher is a lot more was invested in this selection as there was a view that James could be the successor to Gore.

Taken with the 61st overall pick in 2012, there was some hype behind James coming in. Kendall Hunter posted some decent stats but wasn’t seen as the successor to Gore, whereas James was seen as someone who would form a potent duo with Hunter in the post-Gore era.

Unfortunately, all James became was a good special teams player.

In terms of total yards, James only had 193 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards his whole career, he would end up with 1,043 returning yards.

It might be unfair to say it was a lack of talent that made James a bust, but he just couldn’t move up the depth chart in his 49ers career, being released and picked up briefly by the Miami Dolphins before leaving the league for good.