The San Francisco 49ers mainly focused on bolstering their defense in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, they did draft an intriguing running back who could end up altering the team's depth chart at the position going into 2025.
With the 147th pick in the fifth round, San Francisco selected running back Jordan James out of the University of Oregon. James had a very solid final season for the Ducks, rushing for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns in 14 games.
James definitely seems like he could be a sleeper from the team's draft class, and he already has an early backer in franchise legend Frank Gore.
The Niners have had some terrific luck with their fifth-round draft picks during the head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch era, so it would not come as a huge shock if James develops into a strong player for the 49ers.
James' selectioin already puts some pressure on second-year running back Isaac Guerendo, who had an impressive rookie campaign a year ago as he had to step up at times after both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason went down with injuries.
McCaffrey seems to be healthy going into next season, so it's clear who the top option on the depth chart will be, but after that, things could get a bit more complicated.
Predicting 49ers RB depth chart
- Christian McCaffrey
- Isaac Guerendo
- Jordan James
- Patrick Taylor Jr.
Guerendo will certainly be the early favorite for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart based on his performance last season. Yet, he should not get too comfortable.
If James stands out in training camp and the preseason, head coach Kyle Shanahan may try to mix him in more to the team's offensive plans, especially if his skill set proves to be better fitted to the offense than Guerendo's.
Even if James is not the team's second running back on the depth chart, he may have an early edge on veteran Patrick Taylor Jr. Taylor had to play a little last season due to the barrage of injuries that the 49ers experienced at running back, but James certainly figures to be a quicker and more dynamic option than the veteran.
The 2024 season proved a team can never had too much depth at running back. The selection of James does not completely upend the running back depth chart, but it does create some intrigue as to who will get the majority of touches between him and Guerendo next season.