Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Full 2018 NFL Draft tracker, grades and analysis

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 29: Richie James #3 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders is pursued by Vontarius West #29 of the Florida International Golden Panthers as he runs with the ball during first quarter action on October 29, 2016 at FIU Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 29: Richie James #3 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders is pursued by Vontarius West #29 of the Florida International Golden Panthers as he runs with the ball during first quarter action on October 29, 2016 at FIU Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Round 7, Pick No. 240 Overall: Wide Receiver Richie James, Middle Tennessee St.

Back to the offense for San Francisco.

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If you’ve learned anything about the 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan, tall-bodied wide receivers aren’t a necessity. It wasn’t a year ago, and it hasn’t been during this offseason.

The 49ers added yet another receiver in Middle Tennessee State’s Richie James who, at 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds, looks every part the role of a slot option. One of the subtle differences, though, is James’ 40-yard time was moderate, coming in at 4.48 at the NFL Scouting Combine.

But what separates him from the pack at this point in the draft is his electrifying abilities with the ball in his hands. James, like most Shanahan-type receivers, has excellent separation abilities and won’t need to use his “size” as a factor when catching the ball.

Injuries limited James to just five games last year. Before 2017, though, James was a touchdown-scoring machine and posted 20 between 2015 and 2016. He also has modest experience on special teams.

There doesn’t appear to be too much room on the Niners’ roster, particularly after using a second-round pick on Dante Pettis. But James could end up being one of those stash players Shanahan and Co. look to keep around as a developmental option.

Grade: C+

Next: Full 49ers preview for the 2018 NFL Draft

Day three of the 2018 NFL Draft kicked off on April 28 at 12 p.m. ET, and we hope you’ll continue following along with us!