Niner Noise
FanSided

Regrading the 49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft class after one year

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Mike McGlinchey of Notre Dame after he was picked #9 overall by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Richie James #13 of the San Francisco 49ers returns the opening kickoff against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Richie James #13 of the San Francisco 49ers returns the opening kickoff against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

B+. . Wide Receiver. Middle Tennessee State. RICHIE JAMES

Again, if preseason and training camp efforts were factored in, wide receiver Richie James would have easily received an A-grade.

James was one of the 49ers’ top standouts during training camp, catching nearly everything thrown his way and making more than a handful of splash plays during these practices. Those efforts carried over into the preseason, too.

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But when the regular season rolled around, James’ efforts primarily stayed on special teams. After all, he posted a mere nine receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown amid a Niners wide receiver corps that mostly struggled over the course of 2018.

Yet James did impact special teams positively, including an impressive and much-needed 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown during a 26-23 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 last year.

James is likely a favorite for return duties again this season, which boosts his one-year grade for a seventh-round pick.

On top of that, though, he also made a case for competing for starting slot receiver duties alongside third-year pro Trent Taylor, which boosts James’ grade even more.

Next. 49ers 2018 NFL Draft tracker with grades and analysis. dark

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