Former Oregon Ducks star is already turning heads in the NFL and he could be in line for a significant role this season
San Francisco appears to have found another late round running back who can become a factor this season.
The San Francisco 49ers are known for turning late-round or overlooked running backs into game-changers. From Matt Breida to Raheem Mostert to Elijah Mitchell, the Shanahan offense has made stars out of unlikely names.
Enter Jordan James—a rookie out of Oregon who may just be the next in line.
James was a fifth-round draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is already turning heads in 49ers training camp. While James wasn’t a high draft pick, those who watched him at Oregon know the 49ers are likely getting a massive steal that late in the draft.
A one-year starter with the Ducks, James was highly productive in 2025, rushing for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns while also catching 26 passes. He was the bell cow back for the Ducks and proved he can be a workhorse runner. James likely wasn’t drafted as high as one might have thought due to his lack of reps throughout his career, but he was forced to share the workload with NFL star Bucky Iriving in 2023.
James is a one-cut, downhill runner who runs with outstanding power and balance. He displays excellent vision and patience, and knows how to put his foot in the ground and explode through the hole when the crease opens up. This skillset is ideal for the Shanahan system, and it makes a ton of sense that the 49ers prioritized him late in the draft when he was still available.
With the team trading backup running back Jordan Mason to the Vikings this offseason, there are snaps available behind starter Christian McCaffrey. With McCaffrey’s injury history, the 49ers’ backup running back is an important position.
James entered camp in a competition with 2024 fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo, as both players were set to battle it out for the backup spot throughout the preseason. James’s path to playing time became a bit clearer as Guerendo suffered a shoulder injury Monday at practice, which will knock him out for most of, if not all of, the preseason. With Guerendo sidelined, James is expected to see the bulk of the snaps for the 49ers throughout the preseason and can claim the backup spot with a strong showing.
Kyle Shanahan has been impressed with his young rookie after watching him early on in camp. “He’s doing a good job. I mean, he is hitting the holes hard. I like how he’s been running,” Shanahan said.
It feels like a when, not an if, that James will have an impact this season. He is a player to watch late in fantasy drafts and could be this year’s version of Bucky Irving if he is presented with a significant role in the offense.
The talent is there for James; all he needs is the opportunity.
