Will the 49ers Use Rookie Running Back Jordan James in 2025?

The 49ers need bodies in the running back room.

Last season, the 49ers were down to fourth-string running back Patrick Taylor Jr. in Week 18 because the top three running backs on the depth chart all were injured.

This offseason, the 49ers traded Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings and then drafted Oregon running back Jordan James in Round 5. If history is any indication, James will play and perhaps even start at some point next season.

And yet, ESPN ranks James in the lowest tier of rookie running backs -- "depth" backs.

"San Francisco's RB room looks a lot different from last season, as Jordan Mason was traded away and Elijah Mitchell signed with the Chiefs," writes ESPN's Mike Clay.

"James should make the 53-man roster, but he's likely to work behind Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo and perhaps Patrick Taylor Jr. James' collegiate efficiency was all over the map. His career 3.0 yards after contact per carry was below average, but he also had class-best 11% negative run and 49% 5-plus-yard run rates. James is limited as a receiver and underwhelmed at the combine."

Sounds like Clay isn't the biggest fan of James.

Projecting James to start the season at the bottom of the depth chart is reasonable considering he's a rookie. But when Elijah Mitchell was a rookie, he replaced Raheem Mostert during Week 1 for 2021 when Mostert got injured and then started the rest of the season.

If McCaffrey gets injured and misses more time, which is possible, James probably would be best suited to replace him in the starting lineup. Guerendo is explosive but not durable enough to start, and Taylor Jr. is nothing special.

Don't be surprised if James plays much more than ESPN expects next season.